Up on the Upatoi: Cultural Resources Survey and Testing of Compartments K-6 and K-7, Fort Benning Military Reservation, Georgia

A cultural resource survey of 1,129 ha (2,787 ac) was conducted by Southern Research in Compartments K-6 and K-7, Fort Benning Military Reservation, Georgia. The work was conducted prior to timber harvesting and replanting by Fort Benning's Directorate of Public Works, Environmental Management Division and is required by Sections 106 and 110 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended. A total of 152 archeological loci was identified by this survey. This includes 110 newly located archeological sites, seven previously recorded archeological sites, and 35 isolated artifact finds. Sites included Archaic Period lithic scatters, Woodland and Mississippian Period scatters, Historic Creek Indian farmsteads, and historic Euro-and African-American sites. Four Creek Indian sites also were tested to determine their eligibility for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. The survey report presents new and important information concerning human settlement of the Fall Line Sand Hills of west central Georgia. Of particular interest was the discovery of a dispersed Creek Indian community called Upatoi that thrived during the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century. Upatoi represents a Creek settlement caught in the transformation of the area from one of long term occupation by American Indians to the oncoming settlement by citizens of the newly formed United States. Forty sites were found that contained historic Euro-African American components. Some of these sites represent homesteaders, who settled the area on the heels of the Creek Indian's departure, while other sites represent the entire span of occupation up to the acquisition of the project area by the U. S. Government in 1940. Those sites recommended eligible or potentially eligible to the National Register of Historic Places may contribute important information that can address human settlement and utilization of the project area from 10,000 years ago up until the mid-twentieth century. Many of the suggested research questions that these sites can address are presented with consideration to the newly implemented Historic Preservation Plan for Fort Benning, Georgia. Finally, recommendations are made for the protection and management of the significant archeological sites found during this survey that may be affected by the harvesting and replanting of Fort Benning's forests.