Henry Reynolds (archaeologist)
Encyclopedia
Henry Reynolds was an important Archaeologist
in Georgia
.
In 1888, Henry L. Reynolds joined the Mound Exploration Division of the Bureau of American Ethnology
. The purpose of this division, directed by Cyrus Thomas
, was to conduct an extensive survey of Indian mounds in the eastern United States. While the Mound Exploration Division investigated mound sites in many eastern states, Reynolds performed most of his research in South Carolina
and Georgia
. In fact, Reynolds’ excavations at the Hollywood Mounds site, located on a bend of the Savannah River
about ten miles south of Augusta, Georgia
are thought to be the most proficient excavation undertaken in Georgia during the Bureau’s involvement. The Hollywood Mounds site consists of two medium-sized platform mounds. Reynolds fully excavated the smaller of the two mounds and discovered many elaborate artifacts belonging to the Southern Cult, as well as several burials. In his investigations of the Hollywood Mounds site, Reynolds considered the site inside of an ecological setting; he was one of the first archaeologists in the world to think of any site in an ecological context. Many consider Reynolds to be the first “modern” archaeologist in Georgia.
After the Mound Exploration project came to a close, Reynolds was the only assistant retained by the Bureau. In 1894, while completing the project’s report, Cyrus Thomas sent Reynolds back to Georgia and South Carolina to retrieve some final information. After finishing at the Hollywood site, Reynolds proceeded to South Carolina, where he took ill and died suddenly in the field.
Archaeology
Archaeology, or archeology , is the study of human society, primarily through the recovery and analysis of the material culture and environmental data that they have left behind, which includes artifacts, architecture, biofacts and cultural landscapes...
in Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
.
In 1888, Henry L. Reynolds joined the Mound Exploration Division of the Bureau of American Ethnology
Bureau of American Ethnology
The Bureau of American Ethnology was established in 1879 by an act of Congress for the purpose of transferring archives, records and materials relating to the Indians of North America from the Interior Department to the Smithsonian Institution...
. The purpose of this division, directed by Cyrus Thomas
Cyrus Thomas
Cyrus Thomas was a U.S. ethnologist and entomologist prominent in the late 19th century and noted for his studies of the natural history of the American West.-Biography:Thomas was born in Kingsport, Tennessee...
, was to conduct an extensive survey of Indian mounds in the eastern United States. While the Mound Exploration Division investigated mound sites in many eastern states, Reynolds performed most of his research in South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
and Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
. In fact, Reynolds’ excavations at the Hollywood Mounds site, located on a bend of the Savannah River
Savannah River
The Savannah River is a major river in the southeastern United States, forming most of the border between the states of South Carolina and Georgia. Two tributaries of the Savannah, the Tugaloo River and the Chattooga River, form the northernmost part of the border...
about ten miles south of Augusta, Georgia
Augusta, Georgia
Augusta is a consolidated city in the U.S. state of Georgia, located along the Savannah River. As of the 2010 census, the Augusta–Richmond County population was 195,844 not counting the unconsolidated cities of Hephzibah and Blythe.Augusta is the principal city of the Augusta-Richmond County...
are thought to be the most proficient excavation undertaken in Georgia during the Bureau’s involvement. The Hollywood Mounds site consists of two medium-sized platform mounds. Reynolds fully excavated the smaller of the two mounds and discovered many elaborate artifacts belonging to the Southern Cult, as well as several burials. In his investigations of the Hollywood Mounds site, Reynolds considered the site inside of an ecological setting; he was one of the first archaeologists in the world to think of any site in an ecological context. Many consider Reynolds to be the first “modern” archaeologist in Georgia.
After the Mound Exploration project came to a close, Reynolds was the only assistant retained by the Bureau. In 1894, while completing the project’s report, Cyrus Thomas sent Reynolds back to Georgia and South Carolina to retrieve some final information. After finishing at the Hollywood site, Reynolds proceeded to South Carolina, where he took ill and died suddenly in the field.
Further reading
- Williams, Stephen, ed. The Waring Papers. Athens: University of Georgia Press, 1967.