Ground Penetrating Radar Survey on a Portion of Fort Jackson, Chatham County, Georgia

The GPR data from the present study covers a very small portion of the Fort Jackson site. Nevertheless, this small survey sample indicates the usefulness of GPR technology in mapping subsurface features at the site. The radar signals produced strong reflections in this sample and attenuation of the signal by salt water, which was feared, does not appear to be a problem in this part of Chatham County, Georgia. The strongest radar reflection is seen crossing the sample block. This signal was created by a modern utility ditch and it obscures a large portion of potential features in its vicinity. Other deeper radar reflections indicate anomalies that exist well below 1 meter. Determining the age, function, and historical significance of these anomalies will require archaeological excavation for "ground truthing". These features also may be better understood by a more complete GPR survey coverage of this area of the fort grounds. The conventional lore held by several long-time CHS staff is that many areas outside of the existing Fort Jackson brick compound are fill deposits that offer little archaeologically to our knowledge of Fort Jackson or its occupants. While this may be true for the most part, such a verdict seems premature, especially in light of the dearth of well-documented formal archaeological explorations outside of the fort. Excavations that were conducted by the Georgia Historical Commission in the 1960s and 1970s are poorly reported (Tally Kirkland, personal communication June 15, 2006), so the full extent of previous explorations is unknown at present. Stewards of this important historical site may wish to consider GPR in future exploration and site management activity in and around the fort.