During the construction of the N.C. 540 highway extension in southern Wake County, archaeologists have uncovered a trove of over 24,000 artifacts dating back thousands of years. The discoveries include shards of clay pots, stone points used in tools and weapons, and a rare piece of jewelry believed to be from the Woodland period, all found along the path of the new six-lane highway. The most significant site was located near a creek, a spot likely used as a temporary campsite by ancient inhabitants. Radiocarbon dating shows the area was used during the middle Archaic period, around 6,000 to 5,500 B.C., and later during the Woodland era between 300 B.C. and 800 A.D. Archaeologists sifted through dirt samples to carefully extract and document the finds, which help paint a clearer picture of how early peoples lived and traveled through the region.

These artifacts, though not museum-quality pieces individually, are collectively important for understanding the area’s ancient history. Without the work of the archaeologists, the site would have been destroyed during construction. The artifacts will now be housed at the Office of State Archaeology’s Research Center in Raleigh, where they will be available for future study and research.