Archaeology
Archaeologic excavation began at Town Creek in 1927 on an amateur basis before professional archaeologists took over in 1937 during the Great Depression. The excavations continued regularly until 1987. In the years prior to 1927, local residents had known the site to be a place to collect Indian arrowheads and other relics. With little knowledge of archaeological practices, they likely caused some permanent damage to the site. The amateur group used a scraper pulled by a mule to uncover artifacts, including animal and human bones, and shards of pottery. Today excavations continue on a limited basis.
The land was owned by L. D. Frutchey. He allowed exploratory work to begin in 1937 as part of the work of the Works Progress Administration of the President Franklin D. Roosevelt administration. Frutchey donated the mound and about an acre of surrounding land to the state of North Carolina, and it was called Frutchey State Park for several years. The name was changed to Town Creek in the 1940s and has been administered by the State Park Division of North Carolina. Town Creek was the first state historic site to undergo development.
The Pee Dee left no written record, meaning that archaeology was vital in uncovering their history. Dr. Joffre Coe of the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill was the lead archaeologist at Town Creek beginning in 1937. Dr. Coe and his team uncovered various artifacts and burial vaults, and also found the remains of the defensive palisade that once surrounded Town Creek Indian Mound. Evidence suggests this palisade was rebuilt at least five times. Further excavations revealed that the mound, which had not been destroyed over the years despite widespread farming in the area, was the site of three separate structures. The earliest structure at the Town Creek site was a rectangular earth lodge that collapsed with age. The second structure was built atop the fallen lodge; it was a temple. After the temple burned, the Pee Dee built yet another structure on the same spot. This building had an eastward facing ramp that provided access to the surrounding plaza.
The plaza served as the location for the ceremonies and other public meetings. The archaeologists discovered the remains of several support buildings in the vicinity of the plaza, including a burial and mortuary house. It is believed that the burial house was significant for a specific clan. The mound, burial, mortuary houses and many family homes were surrounded by a protective stockade. The remains of two gates and guard towers have been discovered on the north and south ends of the palisade, with archaeological evidence pointing to the construction and destruction of at least five protective walls.
A total of 563 burials that are thought to be of Pee Dee tribe members have been found at Town Creek Indian Mound. Many of the burial sites appear to have been fairly simple and common, with the bodies casually placed in the graves. Some were found buried with their bodies fully extended, while others may have been re-buried in a bundle of bones. The remains of young children and infants have been found tightly wrapped in deerskins in large pottery vessels - called burial urns.
Dr. Coe served as the lead archaeologist for Town Creek Indian Mound for over 50 years. His long-lasting and extensive work at Town Creek has led to a tremendous amount of understanding about the past of Town Creek. Traditionally, historic excavations had taken place over a much shorter period of time with the artifacts being removed to a distant research facility. Dr. Coe established his center of operations at Town Creek for over 50 years, allowing him to establish one consistent plan of research. The constant and consistent research that took place at Town Creek enabled Dr. Coe and his team gain a high level of understanding of the mound and the Pee Dee who lived at Town Creek.
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