Great Smoky Mountains National Park exhibits diverse terrains. It consists of expansive meadows offering fertile soil for cultivation in lower elevations and rugged mountain slopes serving as prime hunting and foraging grounds at higher elevations. The park is also rich in archeological evidence and artifacts that researchers believe will improve the understanding of the area's human history.
Archaeologists follow a systematic approach to discovering artifacts before initiating an excavation in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It begins with extensively documenting excavation sites, utilizing techniques such as photography, GPS coordinates, and mapping. Then, the archaeologists meticulously record detailed measurements and observations of soil layers at sites - the information provides crucial insights into the potential age of unearthed items. For example, distinctions between older red clay soils versus younger black soils offer valuable clues about the chronological sequence of artifacts found. Because environmental factors such as floods, agricultural practices, fires, and alterations in the landscape can disrupt artifact positioning, experts must carefully reconstruct the complete historical narrative.
Given the abundance of archaeological resources within Great Smoky Mountains National Park, excavating all of them would become highly time-consuming. Moreover, such widespread excavation could potentially inflict considerable damage on the sites and the habitats of native plants and animals. To save time and minimize harm to the natural and cultural environment, archaeologists only excavate specific areas in the park, namely proposed future construction sites. Whether a substantial structure like the Oconaluftee Visitor Center or a smaller facility such as a vault toilet at Cataloochee, archaeologists initiate the excavation process by carrying out digging tests using shovels. If the tests render artifacts, the team meticulously excavates the area in delicate layers to preserve the integrity of the findings.
Archaeologists allocate time to ensure the park responsibly manages its archaeological resources when altering the landscape through any activities. They assess sites where activities such as installing utility lines, re-routing trails, erecting new structures, setting up scientific monitoring stations, organizing prescribed burns, and rehabilitating native grassland areas are necessary. In some cases, archaeologists may recommend relocating an activity to preserve artifacts.
Teams have discovered several artifacts within Great Smokey National Park. The discoveries include minute stone fragments and remnants of wood mills carried away by water to subterranean posts representing Cherokee residences dating back centuries. Notable findings include a ceremonial handmade ceramic pipe used by the Cherokee, ground stones resembling mortar and pestles utilized for grinding nuts, seeds, and corn, and metal fittings from the houses and wagons of European settlers. Other artifacts include weathered iron tools once used in farming, remnants of an ancient hearth marking a prehistoric dwelling, traces of logging activities, assorted beads, and toy remnants such as doll pieces and clay marbles. They have also found remnants of lead shot from firearms and musket balls.
Based on their findings, archeologists believe that humans inhabited the area from prehistoric eras through the Civil War and beyond. The presence of toys, evidence of long-term residences, and agricultural tools indicate that families settled and lived in the area throughout the year while following a rural way of life.
