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Sycamore Shoals Lecture Series
Sycamore Shoals Lecture Series
Saturday, March 25 at 7:00 pm
Collapse, Coalescence, and Spanish Incursions into
16th Century Native Upper East Tennessee –
Presented by Dr. Jay Franklin, Professor of Archaeology, Dept. of Sociology & Anthropology
East Tennessee State University
In Search of the People Who Lived Here Before: from Historic to Prehistoric Significance at the Carter Mansion Site –
Presented by Cayla Cannon, Graduate Student, Dept. of Geosciences
East Tennessee State University
A 1958 TVA report held that the upper reaches of the Tennessee Valley along the Holston, Watauga and Nolichucky rivers were not suitable for permanent Native American villages. However, archaeological research conducted by East Tennessee State University from 2006 to the present indicates that our region contained dozens of large, vibrant Native American towns from at least AD 1350 to 1650. Jay will discuss his recent work at several of these sites. His research suggests that the upper reaches of the Tennessee Valley were not marginal hinterlands but rather newly discovered and well-connected cultural centers. It appears that at least some of these communities came into direct contact with early Spanish explorers.
Cayla will present her findings from her work at the Carter Mansion. Based on surface artifacts and decades-old excavations, we know the site also holds a prehistoric component, which may be vital for understanding Native American settlement and coalescence within the region. Our research in the broader region suggests that there may be a significant piece of Cherokee history here. The use of geophysics and targeted test excavations yielded many intriguing results at the Carter Mansion which Cayla will share during her presentation.
Please join us this evening for this unique opportunity to get a first- hand look at the most current research on these topics! This lecture is free and open to the public.
Visitors Center Hours:
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM Tuesday through Saturday 1:00 PM – 4:30 PM Sunday
Closed Mondays
Our Visitors Center is closed on most State holidays.
Park grounds are open from dawn until dusk.
For more information contact:
Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park
1651 West Elk Avenue Elizabethton, TN 37643 (423) 543-5808
www.sycamoreshoalstn.org www.tnstateparks.com/parks/about/sycamore-shoals
www.facebook.com/sycamoreshoals www.friendsofsycamoreshoals.org
