By KEVIN CASTLE
Times-News

DUNGANNON - A significant archeological find was discovered under the hills of Betty Salyer's home place in the 1970s.

With the help of state funding, she hopes to bring some of the items back to Scott County for future generations to study.

The Dungannon Historical Society displayed several documents and artifacts, including some that were taken from a significant dig in 1977 that are currently displayed and cataloged in Richmond by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources.

"I can remember the ground being plowed when I was little and several arrowheads coming out whenever the ground was turned. We knew it was something special then,'' said Salyer.

"It has been emotional because I was not able to see these items at the time in the 1970s when they were discovered and taken to Richmond. What the group would like to do is establish something here in Dungannon to where the items could be permanently displayed.''

Established in 1832 according to Salyer, the site is located just off Route 65 along the Daniel Boone Heritage Trail.

Clifford Boyd, professor of anthropology at Radford University, has studied the site and calls it "very interesting" in terms of historical significance of the first signs of Native American inhabitance in the southwestern part of Virginia.

"The site had some artifacts that were found that suggest there was some Native American contacts with those areas south and southwest of (Dungannon) in Tennessee and North Carolina,'' said Boyd.

"This means they carried on either trading or family relationships with people in those areas. These are classified as Mississippian Period culture artifacts that go back about 1,000 years.

"A couple of pots that were recovered are very unusual because of their shape for that time, again relating to relationships with people to the south. It is a truly historic location.''

The site has also been examined for its significant inclusion in the region's Anglo-American settlement history, Boyd said.

A cabin erected on the site dates back to the 1700s and was known as Osborne's Ford, which was a stop for settlers along the Clinch River.

Further research showed that a two-story structure was built and by 1832 was the location of a post office and ferry crossing.

That cabin still stands, Salyer said, and probably has historical items buried beneath it.

"I think there is a lot more history to be discovered there at the cabin. We hope that more people will get involved so that we can preserve this site for our grandkids to appreciate,'' she said.

Copyright 2004 Kingsport Times-News.