Archaeological Data Recovery at The Pikes Bluff Shell Midden (9GN200) St. Simons Island, Glynn County, Georgia

Phase III data recovery excavations took place at 9GN200 intermittently from June 2003 to March 2004. Moore (1981) first identified the Pikes Bluff shell midden and antebellum Hazzard House remains and recommended it eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). Brockington and Associates, Inc., subsequently resurveyed 9GN200 and other sites. The archaeologists determined 9GN199 and 9GN200 substantially overlapped and the historic components were assigned to 9GN199 and the prehistoric components to 9GN200. Brockington completed Phase III archaeological data recovery investigations at both 9GN200 (Mozingo 2006 [uncompleted draft report]) and 9GN199 (Butler 2006 [uncompleted draft report]).

Data recovery investigations were conducted as proposed in the SHPO-approved research designs for Sites 9GN199 and 9GN200. Both Phase III data recovery field investigations were undertaken for the Sea Island Company, in anticipation of federal agency environmental permit requirements for a planned real estate development project. However, the Sea Island Company subsequently went into receivership, the property was sold, and individual parcels developed without necessary permits. The draft data recovery reports were never completed. In 2013, Brockington returned all archaeological artifacts to Mr. Bill Jones, former CEO of the Sea Island Company. Human burial remains from eleven individuals and associated artifacts were reburied at a designated area on St. Simons Island.

Initial excavations (50 cm x 50 cm units at 10-meter intervals) associated with the Phase III data recovery delimited the boundaries of the shell midden, provided specific cultural affiliations, and confirmed the presence of intact cultural features. A total of 972 50cm by 50 cm units were excavated within 9GN200- confirming that two separate shell middens were present. The larger midden measured 250 meters NS by 110 meters EW, and the smaller measured 100 meters NS by 80 meters EW. The two middens were separated by a drainage ditch. Preliminary artifact analysis indicated the site was a primarily single component Middle Woodland occupation beginning during the Swift Creek phase.

Field investigations included the excavation of 28 hand excavated units and 11 mechanical scrapes. A total of 176 features were identified. Ten of the features contained human burials, representing 11 individuals. One individual was buried in an unusual cross-legged upright sitting position. The overall prehistoric artifact assemblage is large, consisting primarily of Swift Creek complicated stamped and Weeden Island phase ceramics. Diagnostic ceramics and radiocarbon dating provide a mean date range of AD 300-600, placing the occupation in the early Middle Woodland period. Artifact and feature distributions suggest three primary activity areas; a residential area along the marsh edge, a sacred/mortuary area in the interior, and a pottery manufacture area in the northern portion of the site.