A Preliminary Survey of Known Archaeological Sites in the Lower Altamaha Corridor

This report, compiled only for the informational purposes of the Office of Planning and Research, is a brief summary of the author's notes relevant to the occurrence of both historic and prehistoric sites within the proposed lower Altamaha Corridor. The area in question is undoubtedly one of the most important depositories of important archaeological sites in Georgia. However, there has not been a systematic field survey of the lower Altamaha, and consequently formulation of an actual archaeological survey report is at this time out of the question. Prior to any field investigations it is useful to have all previously existing data systematized. This report, with the exception of a small amount of field work already completed in the Wayne County part of the Corridor, can be no more than the actual listing and brief discussion of historically known sites. The actual definition of archaeological areas for determining take lines can not be accomplished without field survey. The value of a site, its extent, and its cultural complexity are usually rated in a survey based on field work according to an A, B, C, D-type scale of priority. An A priority site would be one of high priority and a D site would be one of lowest value. With the exception of certain sites where the author has prepared National Register forms and done a small amount of field work, site information is too vague to assign any indication of relative value. Since 90% or more of the ground surface is covered with vegetation and most archaeological sites in Georgia are "buried" sites with no visible surface indications, a standardized system of test pitting a suspected area is the method employed to define the extent and complexity of any given site. In some parts of the world (for example, deserts), purely "surface" surveys can be very meaningful in the actual definition of the site.