Near Black Rock in Randolph County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)
Archeology Uncovers the Past
— Davidsonville Historic State Park —
Photographed By Mark Hilton, April 3, 2021
1. Archeology and the Past Marker
Inscription.
Archeology Uncovers the Past. . , Why Excavate at Davidsonville? , Although there are surviving documents to tell us about Davidsonville, the town existed for such a short period that many parts of the story were not written down. Day- to-day activities were too common to be considered important to note. After buildings were torn down, little remained to indicate how the town was laid out or what activities occurred on the lots. Artifacts left behind indicate that Davidsonville, although a frontier town, was not isolated from the rest of the world.
A Slow Process , The purpose of archeology is not to recover artifacts, but rather to study all the evidence left behind, including building remnants, activity areas, and trash deposits, in order to retell the story of life in an earlier time.
Using a research plan, chosen areas are carefully excavated. Changes in soil colors, the arrangement of bricks and debris, and the location of artifacts are mapped and recorded. In the lab, broken artifacts are pieced back together and studied. Archival documents are searched and the historical context is considered. These are pieces of the puzzle that together reveal a fuller picture of Davidsonville.
Partnership for Public Archeology , The Arkansas Archeological Survey and the staff of Davidsonville Historic State Park are working as partners to piece together the puzzle of the town's past. Excavations have been conducted on the courthouse square and at many of the house sites. Information from the archeological and historical research is returned to the public through the exhibits and interpretive programs provided by Arkansas State Parks.
This partnership is helping to retell the story of Arkansas's first county seat town. We hope you enjoy learning about Davidsonville.
[Photo captions] , To record exact locations of remains, the site is surveyed to lay out a grid prior to excavations. , One archeologist is sketching a plan drawing of foundation elements in this excavation unit, while the other catalogs artifact locations. , Artifacts are cleaned, mended, cataloged, and studied in the lab prior to completion of the research report.
Why Excavate at Davidsonville?
Although there are surviving
documents to tell us about
Davidsonville, the town existed for
such a short period that many parts of
the story were not written down. Day-
to-day activities were too common
to be considered important to note.
After buildings were torn down, little
remained to indicate how the town was
laid out or what activities occurred on
the lots. Artifacts left behind indicate
that Davidsonville, although a frontier
town, was not isolated from the rest of
the world.
A Slow Process
The purpose of archeology is not to
recover artifacts, but rather to study
all the evidence left behind—including
building remnants, activity areas, and trash
deposits—in order to retell the story of life
in an earlier time.
Using a research plan, chosen areas are
carefully excavated. Changes in soil colors,
the arrangement of bricks and debris, and
the location of artifacts are mapped and
recorded. In the lab, broken artifacts are
pieced back together and studied. Archival
documents are searched and the historical
context is considered. These are pieces
of the puzzle that together reveal a fuller
picture of Davidsonville.
Partnership for Public Archeology
The Arkansas Archeological Survey and the
staff of Davidsonville
Click or scan to see this page online
Historic State Park are
working as partners to piece together the
puzzle of the town's past. Excavations have
been conducted on the courthouse square
and at many of the house sites. Information
from the archeological and historical research
is returned to the public through the exhibits
and interpretive programs provided by
Arkansas State Parks.
This partnership is helping to retell the story
of Arkansas's first county seat town. We hope
you enjoy learning about Davidsonville.
[Photo captions]
To record exact locations of remains,
the site is surveyed to lay out a grid
prior to excavations.
One archeologist is sketching a plan drawing of foundation
elements in this excavation unit, while the other catalogs
artifact locations.
Artifacts are cleaned, mended, cataloged, and studied in the
lab prior to completion of the research report.
Location. 36° 9.285′ N, 91° 3.348′ W. Marker is near Black Rock, Arkansas, in Randolph County. Marker can be reached from Arkansas Route 166, 0.6 miles south of Arkansas Route 361 when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 8047 Hwy 166 S, Pocahontas AR 72455, United States of America. Touch for directions.
This marker is near the road on the right of the public square.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 30, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 13, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 116 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on April 13, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
