Prehistoric Occupations
Prehistoric activity in the Summerhouse tract spans thousands of years. Figure 48 provides a general view of Native American settlement in the project area. The earliest evidence of human occupation in the Summerhouse tract is at 31ON156. An Early Archaic Kirk Corner Notched projectile point was found on the ground surface. This indicates the first human presence within the Summerhouse tract may have been about 10,000 years ago. Only a few other widely dispersed lithic artifacts were collected from 31ON156. The nature of the Early Archaic presence at this site is unknown, but the paucity of artifacts suggests very limited activity.
Based on the number of diagnostic points collected, the area saw an increase in activity by the Middle Archaic Period. Morrow Mountain points, a key diagnostic tool linked to the Middle Archaic Period, were found at three sites (31ON1578, 31ON1581, and 31ON1588). At 31ON1578, no diagnostic tools were found during the survey, but a metavolcanic Morrow Mountain point was collected from one of the units during the testing phase. A number of pieces of metavolcanic debitagewas also found at 31ON1578, but the association with the Middle Archaic component is unsure. At 31ON1581, no diagnostic tools were collected during the survey but two metavolcanic Morrow Mountain points were collected from test units. Approximately 150 pieces of metavolcanic debitage was also collected from the site during survey and testing investigations, much of which was clustered in the vicinity of the Middle Archaic points. While no intact contexts were identified, the assemblage indicates a strong reliance on metavolcanic materials during the Middle Archaic.
As noted above, relative to the preceding Early Archaic Period, there is an apparent increase in Native American activity during the Middle Archaic Period. However, there seems to be a break in the occupational sequence following the Middle Archaic Period. None of the sites have artifacts which can be definitively attributed to the Late Archaic Period. The reason for the apparent absence of Late Archaic occupation(s) is unknown.
There is a reappearance of Native American activity within the project area during the Early Woodland Period. While stone tools were still being produced during the Woodland Period, ceramics are the key artifact type used to distinguish the different components.
Three sites (31ON1578, 31ON1581, and 31ON1589) have Early Woodland occupations, as evidenced by the presence of Hamps Landing pottery. A total of 79 Hamps Landing sherds was recovered: 38 from 31ON1578, 34 from 31ON1581, and seven from 31ON1589.
The Middle Woodland Period is the best represented Native American occupation at the Summerhouse tract. Middle Woodland Hanover and Onslow pottery was identified at six archaeological sites. Site 31ON1578, the largest site in the tract, is associated with a relative abundance of Hanover pottery. Sites 31ON1581 and 31ON1589 have similar amounts of Hanover pottery, with 62 and 60 sherds, respectively. Sites 31ON1579, 31ON1580, and 31ON1609 yielded few Hanover sherds. Based on raw sherd counts, there seems to be a ranking of large (31ON1578), medium (31ON1581 and 31ON1589), and small sites (31ON1579, 31ON1580, and 31ON1609). The Middle Woodland period is also represented by the recovery of a single crushed quartz tempered Onslow sherd from 31ON1589.
During the Late Woodland Period we see an apparent decline in Native American activity in the Summerhouse tract. White Oak shell tempered pottery was found at only one site, 31ON1578. Eleven pottery fragments were collected from seven shovel tests. This White Oak pottery was found at the extreme eastern (two shovel tests with one sherd each) and western (five shovel test with a total of nine sherds) ends of this very large site. Thus, the Late Woodland materials from 31ON1578 probably represent two separate activity or occupational loci. Native American occupation in the project tract appears to have ended prior to the arrival of Europeans.
Over half of the prehistoric sites identified yielded lithic tools and/or the debris and discard associated with the manufacture of these tools. A number of the lithic tools recovered are diagnostic and allowed us to assign specific temporal and cultural affiliations to these sites.
Raw material selection and/preference appears to vary over time. The lithic material used to produce the single Early Archaic diagnostic tool recovered, a Kirk projectile point, is metavolcanic. All of the recovered Middle Archaic Morrow Mountain points were also made from metavolcanic material. It therefore appears that metavolcanic material was preferred for tool manufacture during the Early through Middle Archaic periods. Although the identifiable Woodland Period tools were manufactured primarily from quartz, metavolcanic debitage was also recovered. Despite the small sample size, this may indicate exploitation of a more diverse resource base during the Woodland Period.
Historic Occupations
The Spicer family owned the project tract for over 200 years during this period. Many members of the Spicer family were active in the politics and commerce of the county. The survey data provides a broad view of their activities within the Summerhouse Tract.
Twelve sites and two isolated finds have historic components. The historic occupation in the Summerhouse tract dates back to the middle eighteenth century and ended during the early twentieth century. Although the property has changed hands several times over the years, the majority of the historic sites in the Summerhouse tract are believed to be associated with the Spicer family, their slaves, and perhaps tenant farmers.
Historic settlement in the middle eighteenth century is more focused in the southern portion of the project tract. Three sites, 31ON1578, 31ON1582, and 31ON1584, all yielded diagnostic artifacts dating to this time frame. Late in the eighteenth century, settlement in the tract increase and became more widespread. Eight sites, including 31ON1588 situated near King Creek, had evidence of occupation during the late 1700s. Settlement in the tract continued to increase into the nineteenth century. In fact, it peaks during the early 1800s with 12 sites reflecting occupation during this time period. These sites are all large and tended to cluster along the western edge of the tract. The middle nineteenth century is represented by 11 sites, most of which were present during the earlier part of the century as well. The exception is site 31ON 1578, which appears to have been abandoned during the mid 1800s. Eight sites were occupied during the late nineteenth century. Again, most of these sites were apparently continually occupied during the 1800s. By the early twentieth century, only seven sites were still occupied. Occupation of these sites is largely a continuation from the earlier century.
Conclusions
This investigation has provided a view of over 10,000 years of settlement along the North Carolina coast. From the Native Americans during the Early Archaic period to the Spicers during the historic period and into today, people have been attracted to the setting at Summerhouse on Everett Bay. Its proximity to water, which likely provided abundant food resources for the Native Americans. Its waterfront setting now provides scenic views for today’s future residents. Further investigation of the significant sites identified and evaluated during this project, should contribute even more to our understanding of land use and settlement change over time.
