Report of an Archaeological Survey of Selected Areas of Fort Benning Military Reservation, Alabama and Georgia

After conducting an intensive literature search for references pertaining to the historic and prehistoric cultural resources of the Fort Benning Military Reservation, a 100% pedestrian survey of the non-standing water portions of a 16.2 sq km (4,000-acre) area surrounding Halloca Creek was accomplished in late August and September, 1978. This survey included limited subsurface testing at 30 m intervals in areas sloped less than 10% and at 90 m intervals in areas sloped 10% or more, along transects which were 30 m apart on centers. Four smaller noncontiguous areas being considered for development were surveyed in the same manner and no resources were found which would preclude their development. Thirty-one sites were defined in the course of this survey, ten of which were non-aboriginal historic sites. Four archeological districts were proposed for inclusion in the National Register. They include fifteen of the aboriginal sites and four of the historic non-aboriginal sites. Variables which determined site location were identified using analysis of variance, t-tests, Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Chi square and one sample goodness-of-fit tests. A simple model for historic non-aboriginal site location was derived and a more complicated model for aboriginal site location was presented on a 1:25,000 map of the Reservation. This map displayed three strata of increasing likelihood (or density) of site location, and also pinpointed all known sites on the Reservation. Several recommendations for future survey and for preservation of known resources were offered for consideration.