Phase II Investigation of 13 Sites For Fort Benning Military Reservation, Chattahoochee and Muscogee Counties, Georgia

Under a continuing services contract with the U.S. Army Infantry Center, Directorate of Public Works, Environmental Division, Fort Benning Military Reservation, Panamerican Consultants, Inc. (PCI) conducted a series of Phase II archaeological investigations at 13 sites within the reservation. The objective of this testing was to evaluate each site to determine its eligibility for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) and to make recommendations for future archaeological investigations. All work was conducted in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 as amended; Executive Order 11593 (Protecting and Enhancement of the Cultural Environment); and the Archaeological and Historic Preservation Act of 1974. A total of 13 sites (9CE37, 9CE198, 9CE224, 9CE225, 9CE544, 9CE562, 9CE564, 9CE2506, 9ME 1029, 9ME1030, 9ME1033, 9ME1034, and 9ME1328) were investigated during the Phase II surveys. Multiple components were recorded during the investigations ranging from Early Archaic to the twentieth century. Three of the sites (9CE198, 9ME1029, and 9ME1328) are recommended as eligible for inclusion into the NRHP. These sites have either intact features, stratigraphic integrity, potential burials, and/or will enhance the cultural history of the region. Each of these sites need protective measures taken so further disturbances will not deplete their integrity. The portion of Site 9ME1328 that will be impacted is cleared for construction activities, while the remainder of the site is deemed eligible. While investigating Site 9CE544, it was found to connect with 9CE2592 to the south. While 9CE544 retains little research potential, 9CE2592 is deemed indeterminate for NRHP listing and the remainder of the site was not shovel tested or investigated further in any way within this Phase II project. As time and funding permits, the rest of 9CE2592 should be tested so as to make an informed recommendation for this now large site. For now, 9CE544/2592 is indeterminate for the NRHP pending further work. The remaining nine sites are recommended ineligible for inclusion in the NRHP and require no further archaeological investigations. These sites have been destroyed or heavily disturbed by previous land use and natural activities.