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ARCHAEOLOGY
 he
purpose of archaeology research at Fort Dobbs has been to
- determine
the location of the fort.
- define
the character of the fort.
- document
through artifacts the nature of life at the fort.
Official
archaeological excavations begun in 1967, led Dr. Stanley
South to confirm the exact location of the fort by 1968.
 During
2005 and 2006, Dr. Lawrence Babits of East Carolina University,
a scholar trained in archaeology, military architecture and
history, reevaluated the results of all previous archeological
work and performed additional archaeology to clarify certain
issues. Babits' study revealed that sufficient evidence exists
to recreate the fort in a historically accurate manner. Babits
unveiled his extensive archeological research report to the
public during a press conference held at the Statesville Civic
Center. The event was attended by dignitaries from around
the state.
According
to written documents and the results of archaeological excavations,
the original fort
- was
a modified wooden blockhouse-type structure.
- measured
53'x 40'.
- had
24'x22' flanker extensions at two of its four corners.
- boasted
a fireplace, an extended cellar and an interior well.
- could
accommodate 100 soldiers firing muskets on each of its three
floors.
- was
surrounded by a ditch.
- had
a door protected by a palisade wall.
Recovered
artifacts continue to undergo preservation, conservation and
cataloging at the Office of State Archives Research Center
in Raleigh.
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