Duke Power Company began construction of its Keowee-Toxaway hydroelectric project in 1965. This immense power source comprises Lakes Keowee and Jocassee and includes 375 miles of shoreline and nearly 26,000 surface acres. Beneath these lakes lie several Cherokee towns and Fort Prince George.

Beginning in the summer of 1966 staff from the South Carolina Institute of Anthropology and Archaeology, with the cooperation and support of Duke Power, started archaeological salvage in the area. Concentrating efforts at the Fort Prince George site, the project had grown to be one of the largest archaeological operations in the country by the following year; sixty-five students worked under five archaeologists, including scholars from Tulane University and the University of South Florida. Excavation continued at the site until the rising water of Lake Keowee covered it on May 12, 1968. Keowee-Toxaway State Park, located several miles north of the Fort Prince George site, now maintains a wealth of information concerning Fort Prince George and the Cherokee.

With the exception of the moat, which was only partially dug out, the entire fort was uncovered and excavated. Structures within the fort were identified and thousands of specimens were cleaned and catalogued. Among the "finds" at this site were human remains, including the presumed grave of Lieutenant Richard Coytmore, who was assassinated by the Cherokee in February 1760.

Left: presumed remains of Lieutenant Richard Coytmore (d. February 1760), commandant of Fort Prince George, discovered at the entrance to the southwest bastion.

Excavation plan drawing	Post molds outlining a structure within the fort
Artist's rendering of the northwest bastion showing mounted swivel-gun	Excavation of the northwest bastion