An Intensive Look at Fort Stewart - Archaeological Survey of 18,352 Acres at Fort Stewart, Georgia

Archaeological survey of 18,352 acres of Fort Stewart , Georgia, was conducted by TRC Garrow & Associates, Inc., in February July 1997. Ten tracts were examined. The survey utilized full tract coverage through shovel tests at 30 m intervals. Discovered resources were delineated with shovel tests at 10 or 20 m intervals, and at least one 50 x 50 cm unit was excavated at each site. A datum point at each site was GPS-plotted to sub-meter accuracy. The survey resulted in the discovery of 156 sites and 73 isolated finds. The most common site types were prehistoric lithic scatters and late nineteenth through mid-twentieth century house sites. Other sites include Late Archaic campsites, the Savannah & Southern Railroad, a historic bridge, whiskey stills, a turpentine collection station, a school, several cemeteries, and a tar kiln. A total of 23 sites are recommended as indeterminate for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). The remaining 131 sites and all of the isolated finds are recommended as ineligible for the NRHP. An analysis of site distribution data suggests that several modifications are required in the existing predictive model. The Bonifay, Fuquay, Irvington, Ocilla, Stilson, and Tifton series showed a higher than expected frequency of sites. Series with low site occurrence rates include Johnston/Bibb, Ogeechee, and Pooler. Minor differences were noted in the locational preferences of prehistoric and historic occupants of the land that became Fort Stewart. The present survey has completed the survey obligations for the study tracts under Section 110 and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. If the Indeterminate sites are preserved in place, training and/or logging activities will create no adverse effect on any NRHP eligible or Indeterminate resource, and these activities should be permitted.