Six prehistoric and early historic sites were identified on the Buckeye Cellulose new pulp mill property near Oglethorpe, Georgia. The occupants of these sites were indigenous inhabitants of the region during a period beginning more than 3,000 years ago (1000 B.C.). This earliest occupation, locally recognized as Late Archaic, was succeeded by later settlements of the Mississippian Period (1400-1700 A.D.). Almost all sites represent temporary camping occupations, probably for hunting or wild food gathering purposes. Sites were distinguished primarily by evidence of surface or plow zone scatter of lithic and ceramic material; only one site disclosed subsurface features, All sites were located on relatively level terrain along the margins of small streams or surface drainages. During their principal periods of occupation, the sites were situated within a southern pine forest. environment.
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