Magnetometer Survey and Diver Hands-On Cultural Resource Assessment of Selected Magnetic Anomalies at Bellville Point and Valona Harbor McIntosh County, Georgia

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, conducted a proton magnetometer survey and diver hands-on survey of two proposed areas designated for small navigation improvement located in Mcintosh County, Georgia. The first study area is approximately a 10-kilometer ( km) section of the Sapelo River from Bellville Point to the Atlantic Intercoastal Waterway (AIWW) (Figure 1). The second study area involved approximately a 1.6 km section of Shellbluff Creek from Valona Harbor to the AIWW (Figure 2). This report is a compilation of both studies into one cultural resource management report. The Bellville Point t o AIWW study inventoried 32 magnetic targets during the remote sensing survey phase . The Valona Harbor t o AIWW survey inventoried seven targets within the study are a . Analysis and interpretation of the remote sensing survey data was accomplished in consultation with two staff archaeologists with the Georgia State Historic Preservation Officer. Eight magnetic targets (seven at Bellville and one at Valona) exhibiting a broad range of magnetic intensities were selected for diver hands-on evaluation. The diver hands - on evaluation consisted of a systematic underwater search of each magnetic target. Five of the seven targets at Bellville and one in the Valona Harbor area (six of eight or 7 5%) were located and evaluated . All magnetic targets were representative of modern terre s trial or marine ferrous debris . Based on the results of the remote sensing survey, data analysis and the diver hands-on evaluation of both study areas, Savannah District recommends cultural resource clearance for both projects.