Webster Farm: reconnaissance report

              REPORT ON RECONNAISSANCE OF WEBSTER FARM, SITE 40MU551, MAURY COUNTY
On 2-19-96, Don Merritt and Suzanne Hoyal of the Tennessee Division of Archaeology and Brian
Eads, NR nomination preparer from MTSU, meet with the Websters at their farm. The field
examination was conducted between and during the rain which limited the available time and
documentation of the site.
This farm is on the edge of the Outer Central Basin at the base of the escarpment of the Western
Highland Rim. The Rim overlooks the entire farm like a wall to the west. This position, which is
well-drained by various streams, makes an ideal habitat for occupation and exploitation of both
Basin and Rims resources. Harlan Branch is a short stream which drains the remnant knobs,
including Webster Knob, to the south. Harlan Branch joins Big Bigby Creek on the Webster
property. The Websters were aware of a possible Indian mound on their property in the field
above the streams' confluence to the west.
This brief reconnaissance found a mound that is probably the remnant of a mound which was
larger before historic plowing reduced it to its current size. While the mound and site were not
mapped in the field, the mound location is accurately shown on the USGS topo map as a round
contour line of higher elevation in the field. The Websters reported to have found lithic artifacts in
the field and in other fields surrounding their home .
Two limited shovel tests were performed in the mound field to check the stratigraphy for evidence
of any extant deposits as well as the disturbance from plowing. Shovel Test #1 was placed in the
field around the mound on the north side of the mound. The test revealed a homogeneous upper
layer of brown soil down to 40 cmbs where a lighter colored subsoil appeared. The upper brown
soil contained lithic debris.
Shovel Test ; _was placed on the southern slope of the mound. This test revealed a more
complex strat graphy consisting of at least four levels of different colored soils (some mixed) from
dark brown to reci!yellow clay down to the extent of the test at 50 cmbs. These levels contained
inclusions of lithic debris, charcoal, and soil mixtures. The stratigraphy revealed here was the
basis for the mound determination.
While an unknown amount of the upper portions of the mound has been plowed down into the
surrounding field, the mound is still relatively high and intact because the field has been less
intensively plowed compared to the surrounding fields. This is possibly because of the land­owners'
knowledge of the mound, and vandals have not had easy access to it.
Lithic artifacts from the Websters collection from the field were photographed after the rain drove
the field party indoors. While doing this, it was noticed the location of the home itself had a high
probability of being a prehistoric site. A subsequent check of the homes flower gardens and the
disturbed dirt from a new electrical service line revealed lithic and ceramic artifacts in the yard.
As is not to be unexpected, the home was built on a site.
-JDM 3-8-96