NCAS Spring Membership Dig 2025
When and Where:
The North Carolina Archaeological Society will be partnering with the Exploring Joara Foundation (EJF) to host the 2025 Spring Member Dig for NCAS members. The fieldwork is planned for May 20th – 23rd (Tuesday through Friday) at the Berry Site in Burke County, North Carolina. Use Google Maps and search for “Joara, Fort San Juan".”
The Berry Site:
The Berry Site is the location of the sixteenth century Native American town of Joara. Joara was visited by Spanish explorers Hernando de Soto in 1540 and Juan Pardo in 1567. The Berry Site is also the location of the Spanish Fort San Juan, which was established by Pardo in January of 1567. Relations between the Spanish occupants and the local Native Americans quickly deteriorated, culminating in the burning of Fort San Juan in June 1567.
We invite current NCAS members to participate in the excavations (to join or renew, go to: https://www.ncarchsociety.org/membershiplanding). Activities at the member dig include troweling, shoveling, and washing and sorting artifacts. Archaeologists will be available to train participants in field methods, so no previous experience is required. Come for the whole event or just an afternoon! Registration for the event is free but will be limited to 20 volunteers per day. Participants will be required to sign a volunteer waiver. If you would like to participate, please contact Sami Taylor (staylor@newsouthassoc.com).
What You Need to Bring:
Daily excavation times are to be announced closer to the event. Recommended items to pack include shoes/boots (no open-toed shoes), water (at least 64 ounces per person), lunch/snacks, a hat, work gloves, sunscreen, and insect repellant. EJF will provide a portable restroom, a canopy for shade during lunch, shovels, and other excavation tools.
Lodging/Accommodation Recommendations:
Food and lodging will NOT be provided. Recommended local accommodations include: the Fairfield Downtown Morganton (828-608-0900) ( https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/avlfm-fairfield-inn-and-suites-morganton-historic-downtown/overview/), the Comfort Inn and Suites (https://www.choicehotels.com/north-carolina/morganton/comfort-inn-hotels/nc342), and the Hampton Inn Morganton (828-432-2000) (https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/mrnnchx-hampton-morganton/).
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Sami Taylor (staylor@newsouthassoc.com).
2025 NCAS Spring Meeting
Spring 2025 Annual Meeting and Archaeology Day
The NCAS Annual Spring Meeting will be at the Berry Site on May 24th, 2025, from 9 AM to 10 AM. The spring meeting will be held in conjunction with the NCAS Spring Archaeology Day, which will be held in the same location from 10 AM to 1 PM. The Spring Archaeology Day is meant to celebrate the history of North Carolina. Several artisans, vendors, information tables, and reenactors will be present. Demonstrations include pottery, flintknapping, and black powder flintlock musket firing. Activities will include atlatl and chunky. Several archaeological and historical organizations from across the state will be hosting informative tables. Seating, shade, and small refreshments will be provided during the event.
Location: Berry Site- 1701-1981, Henderson Mill Rd, Morganton, NC 28655 or use Google Maps and search for “Joara, Fort San Juan”
In the event that there is inclement weather, the fall meeting will be held at the Historic Burke County Courthouse Auditorium (102 E Union Street, Morganton, North Carolina 28655). Call the Comfort Inn and Suites in Morganton (https://www.choicehotels.com/north-carolina/morganton/comfort-inn-hotels/nc342) (828-430-4000) to reserve a room for the night of May 23rd, 2025, at a discounted price by requesting the NC Archaeological Society special rate. The discounted rate for a room with 2 queen beds is $149.00 plus tax, and the discounted rate for one king bed and a pull-out sofa will be $159.00 plus tax. The special rate is only applicable for the night of May 2025. The special rate is only applicable while rooms are still available, so book as soon as possible.
Other local accommodations include: the Fairfield Downtown Morganton (828-608-0900) ( https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/avlfm-fairfield-inn-and-suites-morganton-historic-downtown/overview/) and the Hampton Inn Morganton (828-432-2000) (https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/mrnnchx-hampton-morganton/).
CANCELLED: 2024 NCAS Fall Meeting
Unfortunately, due to the catastrophic damage caused to western North Carolina by the recent Hurricane Helene, the NCAS has decided to cancel this year's Fall Membership Dig and NCAS Fall Meeting. Please stay tuned for potential rescheduling.
Location: Catawba Meadows Park, 701 Sanford Drive, Morganton, NC 28655
Details: The 2024 NCAS Annual Fall Meeting will be held at a picnic shelter at Catawba Meadows Park in Morganton, North Carolina. The fall meeting will be held in conjunction with the 3rd Annual Community Day at the Living History Village at Catawba Meadows Park. The Community Day will be hosted a short walk (~5 minutes) from the meeting location from 10 AM to 3 PM and will include numerous activities and demonstrations. After the community day concludes, a tour of the Berry Site will be hosted by Exploring Joara Foundation (EJF).
In the event that there is inclement weather, the Fall Meeting will be held at the Historic Burke County Courthouse Auditorium, located at 102 E Union Street, Morganton, North Carolina 28655.
Accommodations: Attendees may call the Comfort Inn and Suites in Morganton (see below for additional details) to reserve a room for the night of October 18th at a discounted price by requesting the North Carolina Archaeological Society special rate. The discounted rate for a room with 2 queen beds is $149.00 plus tax, and the discounted rate for one king bed and a pull-out sofa will be $159.00 plus tax. This special rate is only applicable for the night of October 18th and will only be available for bookings made before October 11th. The special rate is only applicable while rooms are still available, so book as soon as possible.
Comfort Inn and Suites:
Address: 1273 Burkemont Avenue, Morganton, North Carolina 28655
Phone Number: (828) 430-4000
Distance from Berry Site: 20 minutes/11.6 miles
Distance from Catawba Meadows Park: 12 minutes/5.5 miles
Other options for local accommodations:
Fairfield Downtown Morganton (828-608-0900)
Hampton Inn Morganton (828-432-2000)
CANCELLED: 2024 NCAS Fall Membership Dig
Unfortunately, due to the catastrophic damage caused to western North Carolina by the recent Hurricane Helene, the NCAS has decided to cancel this year's Fall Membership Dig and NCAS Fall Meeting. Please stay tuned for potential rescheduling.
When and Where: The North Carolina Archaeological Society (NCAS) will be partnering with the Exploring Joara Foundation (EJF) to host the 2024 Fall Member Dig for NCAS members. Fieldwork will take place on Tuesday, October 15th–Friday, October 18th at the Berry Site in Burke County, North Carolina. Daily hours are as follows:
Tuesday–Thursday: 10 AM to 3 PM
Friday: 9 AM to 1 PM
The Fall Member Dig will coincide with the NCAS Fall Business Meeting as well as EJF’s 3rd Annual Community Day at the Living History Village at Catawba Meadows Park in Morganton, North Carolina which will take place on Saturday, October 19th.
The Berry Site: The Berry Site is the location of the sixteenth century Native American town of Joara. Joara was visited by Spanish explorers Hernando de Soto in 1540 and Juan Pardo in 1567. The Berry Site is also the location of the Spanish Fort San Juan, which was established by Pardo in January of 1567. Relations between the Spanish occupants and the local Native Americans quickly deteriorated, culminating in the burning of Fort San Juan in June 1567.
We invite current NCAS members to participate in the excavations (click here to join or renew your membership). Activities at the Fall Member Dig will include troweling, shoveling, and washing and sorting artifacts. Archaeologists will be available to train participants in field methods, so no previous experience is required. Come for the whole event or just an afternoon! Registration for the event is free but will be limited to 20 volunteers per day. Participants will be required to sign a volunteer waiver. If you would like to participate, please contact Sami Taylor (staylor@newsouthassoc.com).
What You Need to Bring: Daily excavation times are to be announced closer to the event. Recommended items to pack include shoes/boots (no open toed shoes), water (at least 64 ounces per person), lunch/snacks, a hat, work gloves, sunscreen, and insect repellant. EJF will provide a portable restroom, a canopy for shade during lunch, shovels, and other excavation tools.
Accommodations: Food and lodging will NOT be provided. Recommended local accommodations include:
Fairfield Downtown Morganton (828-608-0900)
Hampton Inn Morganton (828-432-2000)
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Sami Taylor (staylor@newsouthassoc.com).
North Carolina Archaeological Society Annual Fall Meeting and 90th Birthday Celebration
WHEN: Saturday, October 7th and Sunday, October 8th, 2023
WHERE: Canon Lounge, Gladfelter Bldg., Warren Wilson College (Saturday program and reception)
Biltmore Estates (Sunday morning site tour)
SATURDAY TIMELINE:
9:00am Gladfelter Building opens (event set-up)
9:30-10:00am Morning Reception (check-in, coffee/refreshments)
10:00-10:50am NCAS BOD Meeting followed by the Membership Meeting (Opening Remarks and Announcements for the Silent Auction, Saturday Reception & Sunday Tour, Raffle, and Elections)
11:00-11:15am Dr. Scotti Norman (Warren Wilson College) – “Overview of the Warren Wilson College Archaeology and Anthropology Program: Current Projects”
11:15-11:55am Dr. David Moore (Warren Wilson College/Joara Project) – “Joara and Fort San Juan: Sixteenth Century Native Americans and Spanish Colonizers in Western North Carolina”
11:55-12:35pm Dr. Tom Whyte (Appalachian State University) – “Warm-Weather Tourism in Boone, a Trend that Began 12,000 Years Ago”
12:35-1:35pm LUNCH BREAK (ON-SITE, provided by TRC Environmental)
1:45-2:25pm Dr. Jane Eastman and Dr. Brett Riggs (Western Carolina University) – “Astronomical Landscapes in Western North Carolina”
2:25-3:05pm Dr. Alice Wright (Appalachian State University) – “Old Data, New River: Revisiting and Revealing the Indigenous Landscapes of Northwestern North Carolina”
3:05-3:45pm Dr. Cameron Gokee (Appalachian State University) – “Oral and Archaeological Histories of Junaluska: A Black Appalachian Community”
3:45-4:45pm Q&A Session/Comments/Election Results
6:30-8:30pm RECEPTION (sponsored by the North Carolina Archaeological Council) – Music, cake, treats, raffle prize drawing & pick-up, silent auction results and pick-up
North Carolina Archaeological Society Newsletter (Summer 2023, Volume 33, Number 3) Page 9
SUNDAY TIMELINE:
9:30am Gather in the Parking Lot at Gladfelter Building, Warren Wilson College, to board the vans that will
transport you back in time (i.e., drive you to Biltmore Estates…I’m doing my best here)
10:00am Arrive at Biltmore Estates to meet Scott Shumate (Biltmore Estates Archaeologist) who will guide us
on a 2-hour walking tour of sites on the Biltmore grounds (please dress accordingly depending on the
weather)
12:00pm Tour concludes
12:30pm Return to Warren Wilson College
NCAS Fall Meeting at Town Creek
The NCAS Annual Fall meeting will be held at Town Creek on Saturday, October 15th, coinciding with International Archeology Day and the final day of the NCAS field work. Please join us for our business meeting, speakers, and guided site tours!
NCAS Fall Dig
SAVE THE DATE!!! October 10th – 15th 2022
The North Carolina Archaeological Society will be partnering with the NC Office of State Archaeology, the Research Laboratories of Archaeology at UNC-CH, and Town Creek Indian Mound State Historic Site to offer a hands-on archaeological experience for NCAS members. This fieldwork is planned for October 10th – 15th 2022 (Monday through Saturday), with the NCAS Annual Fall meeting being held at Town Creek on Saturday, October 15th, coinciding with International Archeology Day and the final day of excavations. Please join us for our business meeting, speakers, guided site tours, and lunch!
The specific research goal of the excavations will be to investigate an area north of the palisaded portion of Town Creek where a 2014 magnetometer survey indicated the potential for numerous subsurface features. Due to the lack of systematic archaeological excavations in this part of the site, little is known about how this area was used and how it relates to the core of the site to the south. The planned investigations have the potential to help us learn what activities were taking place outside the palisade, and how they relate to the overall trajectory of American Indian history at Town Creek. In this first phase of field work, the primary goal will be to expose, document, and map any intact features.
We invite current NCAS members to participate in the excavations (to join or renew, go to: https://www.ncarchsociety.org/membershiplanding). Activities for which help is needed include digging, sifting soil to recover artifacts, troweling, and mapping with a laser transit. Archaeologists will be available to train participants in field methods, so no previous experience is required. Come for the whole week or just an afternoon! If you would like to volunteer, please contact Douglas Hill (dbhill222@gmail.com).
Excavations will begin daily at 8:30 am and continue until 4:00pm. In case of inclement weather bring rain gear. Canopies will be on site. Wear comfortable outdoor clothing that can get dirty and bring gloves and camping chairs if needed. Food and lodging will NOT be provided, but free on-site tent camping is available. The camping area has a large fire pit, ample firewood, and a spigot, but no power.