Castalian Springs Archaeological Project

June 5-July 7, 2017


A cooperative project of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Middle Tennessee State University, Bledsoe's Lick Historical Association, Tennessee Division of Archaeology and Tennessee Historical Commission

Project Director: Paul Eubanks, Assistant Professor

The 2017 Castalian Springs Archaeological Project is a cooperative archaeological research project sponsored by the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Middle Tennessee State University, the Bledsoe's Lick Historical Association, the Tennessee Division of Archaeology, and the Tennessee Historical Commission. The project runs from June 5 through July 7, 2017.

The primary objectives of the project are:

  1. To explore the prehistoric and historic uses of the mineral springs -- a central place on the landscape that attracted mammals of all kinds for thousands of years and was particularly important to the Mississippian people who built the mounds and town over 700 years ago and the later folks who constructed a resort inn and spa in the 19th century;
  2. To provide university students with training in the methods and techniques of professional field and laboratory archaeology;
  3. To emphasize to the interested public the value of archaeological research.

While this is a continuation of a many decades long partnership project spanning almost 25 years now -- some of which you can view on other web pages:

CSAP 2005-2011

your narrator for this time around -- Dr. Kevin Smith -- is now able to provide this as an observer and helper while Dr. Eubanks does the hard work of running the show. I'm liking this role a lot better. I'll add some more background information pages in the next few days -- but for now, let's just launch the daily updates!

Daily Journal
June/July 2017

At the end of each day, a short narrative and a few photographs of the day's work will be posted. Click on the date links to view the excavation progress.

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29 30 1
2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Web Design by Kevin E. Smith kevin.smith@mtsu.edu