A Phase II Archaeological Survey of a Proposed Boat Ramp at Brigham's Landing on the Savannah River in Burke County, Georgia

From July 23 through July 27, 1990, Phase II archaeological testing of the Brigham's Landing Site (WGC1670) on the Savannah River in Burke County, Georgia was conducted by Archaeological Research Services of West Georgia College. Documentary historical research and oral history interviews were also conducted prior to, during, and following this period of field work. There are no standing structures in the project area. Archaeological field work consisted of shovel testing, metal detector survey, and the excavation of two one-meter test pits. One of the test pits reached a meter in depth, and was extended an additional 120 cm in depth with a posthole digger. All excavated soil was screened through ½" mesh hardware cloth. No archaeological features or posthole patterns were observed. Artifacts recovered, in conjunction with their densities and locations, indicate light usage of the project area over a long span of time. very sparse and non-diagnostic aboriginal lithic artifacts were recovered and may be associated with a nearby site (outside the project area but within the Yuchi Wildlife Management Area) that was recorded and given the designation WGC1688. A minie ball from a pistol indicates some Civil War period activity in the area, perhaps related to "Soldier's Field", a Civil War period military camp located a mile upstream and indicated on the USGS 7.5' quadrangle map "GIRARD". Brigham's Landing was a minor river landing, and some of the historic artifacts recovered appear to be associated with that usage of the property. The Brighams were a prominent family in the vicinity of the town of Girard. The location of the house site of Dr. Jonathan Brigham was identified (outside the project area but within the Yuchi Wildlife Management Area) and given the designation of WGC1689. Prior to the development of the landing as a boat ramp by Burke County, a boat lift operated at the project location in the mid 20th century. Evidence of this facility is present on the project property in the form of three river pilings, an anchoring device for the lift stand, and an eroded pit marking the former location of a concrete pad which has subsequently slid into the river. Road grading, dredge spoil deposition due to river channel maintenance, and grading of a parking area during the course of the existing boat ramp development and maintenance have all affected the natural soil profiles and artifact distributions at the site. The archaeological testing did not reveal the presence of horizontal or vertical distributions of archaeological resources sufficiently intact or dense to allow for significant information to be derived from the site beyond that already recovered. The undisturbed levels of the deeper test pit were archaeologically sterile. The Brigham's Landing Site (WGC1670) is not eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places, and there is no further concern for archaeological resources in the project area.