June 4-July 6, 2018

A cooperative project of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Middle Tennessee State University, the Bledsoe's Lick Historical Association, and the Tennessee Division of Archaeology

Project Directors

Dr. Paul Eubanks, Middle Tennessee State University 

The 2018 Castalian Springs Archaeological Project is a cooperative archaeological research project sponsored by the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Middle Tennessee State University, the Bledsoe's Lick Historical Association, the Tennessee Division of Archaeology, and the Tennessee Historical Commission. The project runs from June 4 through July 6, 2018.

The primary objectives of the project are:

1. To explore the prehistoric and historic uses of the mineral springs -- a central place on the landscape that attracted mammals of all kinds for thousands of years and was particularly important to the Mississippian people who built the mounds and town over 700 years ago and the later folks who constructed a resort inn and spa in the 19th century;
2. To provide university students with training in the methods and techniques of professional field and laboratory archaeology;
3. To emphasize to the interested public the value of archaeological research.