Phase I Archaeological Survey Within Fort Benning Compartment B-4, Chattahoochee County, Georgia

Panamerican Consultants, Inc. (PCI), conducted an intensive Phase I archaeological survey of the 1,291-acre Compartment B-4 land tract on the Fort Benning Military Reservation, in Chattahoochee County, Georgia. The project was conducted in response to a Scope of Work from the National Park Service. The survey produced a total of 42 newly recorded archaeological sites (9CE869-9CE910), 40 isolated finds (9CE911-9CE950), and two previously recorded sites (9CE38 and 9CE52). Of the newly recorded sites, there were 28 aboriginal sites, four historic sites, and 10 mixed sites containing aboriginal and historic remains. The two previously recorded sites were both aboriginal. Thirty-six of the isolated finds were aboriginal, one was historic, and three contained a mix of prehistoric and historic material. Fourteen of the newly recorded sites and one of the previously recorded sites are considered potentially eligible for inclusion with the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP); one of the previously recorded sites (9CE52) is listed as indeterminate for inclusion, since the site's primary location outside of the military reservation did not permit us a thorough investigation of the site's worth, and the remaining 28 sites are considered ineligible for such considerations. None of the isolated finds are considered either eligible or potentially eligible for NRHP inclusion. The potentially eligible sites include Sites 9CE873, 9CE875, 9CE876, 9CE879, 9CE880, 9CE882, 9CE884, 9CE886, 9CE894, 9CE898, 9CE899, 9CE905, 9CE908, 9CE909, and the previously recorded Site 9CE38. The fieldwork was performed between March 19 and June 6, 1996. The work included placing systematic shovel tests at 30 meter (m) intervals throughout the study area unless excessive disturbances or low probability areas were encountered. Much of the topography was suitable for shovel testing, with the exception of the marsh areas along Hewell Creek and exceptionally steep graded landforms throughout the study area; however, these areas were still provided surface inspections. A total of 4,141 shovel test locations were documented during this time, including 2,810 negative tests, 634 positive tests, and 697 locations that were not excavated due to excessive disturbances.