Eolian Dunes at Fort Stewart, Georgia: Geomorphology, Age, and Archaeological Site Burial Potential

This is a final report of investigations for the United States Army and the Environmental and Natural Resources Division at the Fort Stewart Military Reservation in compliance with Fort Stewart contract number DAKFJ0-96-P-1026. Infilled parabolic dunes that are typically three to four meters thick were blown onto the eastern side of the Canoochee River valley prior to 17,000 years ago as indicated by radiocarbon and optically stimulated luminescence dates. The most recent major phase of dune sedimentation occurred between 17,000 and 27,000 years ago during a time of maximum glacial ice volumes on earth, and a time of cooler, drier, and windier conditions at Fort Stewart. The dunes pre-date the generally accepted time of peopling of North America so that they probably did not bury archaeological sites when they blew in. However, artifacts are subject to shallow burial (<1.5 m) caused by bioturbation and minor eolian reworking of the dunes. Standard shovel testing techniques to depths of 1. 0 m should be adequate to assess the cultural resources on the dunes.