Project Description
At the request of the Tennessee Valley Authority, Stratum recorded the pictographs and directed the graffiti mitigation at Painted Bluff, overlooking the Tennessee River in northeastern Alabama. Based on the recommendations of 15 federally recognized Native American groups, it was decided to remove all graffiti older than 50 years from at least 120 different surfaces. Recognized as a “success story” of collaboration, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) honored the Tennessee Valley Authority, Stratum Unlimited, the Universities of Alabama and Tennessee, the 15 Native American groups, the Alabama Historical Commission, the Southeastern Climbers Coalition, and volunteers with its Chairman’s Award in 2014.
Key Highlights
- Painted Bluff contains at least 130 painted images dating to the Mississippian Period and a few earlier fine-lined grids.
- Many of the painted motifs are reminiscent of motifs occurring on Mississippian period shells, carved shells, copper repousse plates, carved stones and chipped stones, and motifs in dark zone caves of the region.
