Pre-historic spear point discovered at local farm

Visiting the back part of a private local farm in Zebulon last month, several Preservation Zebulon members found what looked to be an arrowhead on a quartz-filled ridge within a forested section of property. It turned out to be much older – and is identified as a Kirk Stemmed Spear Point dating to 7000-6000 BC.

This spear point is heavily patinated, weakly serrated, and beveled in cross section. Its stem has been broken off. “It is made of rhyolite probably quarried from the Morrow Mountain State Park area located near the Uwharrie National Forest,” reported Lee Tippett, a retired archaeologist from the NC Department of Transportation and the South Carolina State Historic Preservation office.

This artifact type is well documented and widely distributed across much of the Eastern United States. “The type was first recognized by Dr. Joffre Coe during his excavations at the Hardaway Site in Stanly County, North Carolina. Kirk Stemmed Spear Points have been securely dated to the Early Archaic Period (8000-6000 BC). Research conducted by archaeologists across the southeastern United States indicates that this specific spear point type dates to the later stages of the Early Archaic Period (7000-6000 BC),” Tippett states.

The kirk was found on a ridge close by Moccasin Creek, and was likely used in hunting by indigenous people who roamed in a 150 mile area radius as hunters and gatherers and lived a subsistence lifestyle 800 years ago. The ridge would have been a prime spot for hunting as animals came to the creek to quench their thirst.

Morrow Mountain State Park is 135 miles away. In the early Archaic Period, people were hunters and gathers, and they roamed the area for food. In among the local quartz were several other rhyolite specimens that likely also came from the Uwharrie National Forest area 8000 years ago,Tippett observed.

Tippett, who has a Masters Degree in Anthropology/ Archaeology from the University of Tennessee, is a retired member of the Register of Professional Archaeologists and also retired in 2016 from a private sector archaeological research firm. We are lucky to have him as a Preservation Zebulon member, assisting us with placing context around local remains, landscapes and ruins in the Little River area.

Zebulon Historic District Update

Thanks to all who joined Preservation Zebulon as we hosted the State Historic Preservation Office’s (SHPO) Public Info meeting on the Zebulon Historic District on February 3. With virtual and in-person attendance of 28, the meeting was held at the Zebulon Women’s Club and also by Zoom.

If you missed the meeting, see the recording, available here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uC7Hw51jlBA

We extend a huge thank you to the more than 20 people who wrote letters in support of the Zebulon Historic District. There’s still time to write your letter of support. They can be sent to Sarah David, National Register Branch Supervisor of SHPO at sarah.david@ncdcr.gov or Hannah Beckman-Black, Survey and National Register Specialist, SHPO at hannah.beckman@ncdcr.gov.

Our nomination is scheduled to be heard on June 11 by the National Register Advisory Committee.

MEET THE BOARD

MaryBeth Carpenter – Executive Director

A veteran fundraiser, MaryBeth runs Greater Gifts Consulting assisting Triangle based non-profits with strategic planning and fundraising. MaryBeth holds an MBA from Case Western Reserve University and her BA from The Ohio State University.

She has won several awards for her fundraising and writing, served on several local boards in Raleigh and gives trainings on fundraising across North Carolina. She and her husband Scott are also restoring the historic c 1911 John D Finch house on East Horton Street. MaryBeth is also writing a soon to be released book “Legendary Locals of Little River” detailing local history in the area. She is a co-founder of Preservation Zebulon Inc. and an ex officio board member.”

Click to see local history stories

MaryBeth is Preservation Zebulon’s Executive Director and along with her husband owns a 111 year old house that they are restoring.

BECOME A MEMBER

Preservation Zebulon is a member-based organization. Please renew your membership today. Cost is $40 for individuals, $50 for a family, and $250 for a corporate partner membership. All of our activities are funded by memberships and donations. Please donate or renew your membership today at www.preservationzebulon.org or by mailing a check to the address below. All of Preservation Zebulon’s activities are run by volunteers. Thank you for your support and participation!