Phase I Archaeological Survey of the Margin Bay Mitigation Bank, Bryan County, Georgia

During December 2007, Brockington and Associates completed a background literature review and field investigations for a Phase I cultural resources survey within and near the Migration Bay Mitigation Bank project area, Bryan County, Georgia in conjunction with a proposed wetland restoration of the property by Margin Bay, Inc. The study metl1ods, results, and recommendations are described below. The archaeological investigations consisted of an examination of archaeological site forms from previous surveys along with a shovel testing survey of the entire 236-acre parcel. Background research was conducted through the University of Georgia State Site File (GASF) in Athens. Background research recovered current information on previously recorded cultural resources (i.e., archaeological sites, buildings, structures, districts, objects, and sites of traditional/ cultural importance) that might be eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) and could be affected by the proposed project. The records search was made for documents pertaining to previously known, reported, and/or National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) nominated resources within a 1 mile (1 .6 km) radius of the project tract. An on-site assessment was also made based on topography, setting, previous regional surveys, and nearby resources as to the potential for the project tract to produce as yet unidentified archaeological or historic architectural resources, or for the undertaking to have an effect on those not yet identified outside of the project tract. The entire 236-acre project tract is a naturally occurring Coastal Plain nonlinear hydrologic feature (i.e. an interior wetland) lying equidistant from Little Creek to the north and west and the Ogeechee River to the east. (Figures 1 and 2). The confluence of these two drainages is approximately 2,500 feet to the north of the project area in northeastern Bryan County. 1l1e property is 2,000 feet east of SR 204, and is accessed via a utility corridor bisecting the property from this road. As illustrated by the attached maps, it is clear that the topography is generally low-lying (20-30 feet amsl) with standing water dominating the eastern portion of the project tract. Vegetation consists predominantly of planted pines along with the natural Oak Gum Cypress forest association featuring largely black gum and water oak with a dense under story of briars. The contour roughly forming the western boundary of the project tract represents an abrupt transition to a well-drained upland ridge, with Long Leaf and Slash Pine forest. The area has undergone considerable irrigation and subsurface disturbance from years of silviculture. The entire project area is crossed by a series of ditches and built up clay or sand roads generally running east-west and spaced approximately 400 feet apart (Figures 4 and 5; See Figure 2). Ditches generally run adjacent to the north side of each road, often with a row of planted pine between. As per your communication (December 5, 2007), this construction is believed to have been undertaken 20-25 years ago. It is likely that this construction is contemporary with the excavation of the sand and day pit directly west of the project area, as this material is similar to that used to build up the roadbeds. The tract was later clear cut and replanted with pine about 15 years ago. Additionally, the aforementioned transmission line corridor has been cut east-west through the property. The purpose of this undertaking is to re-establish a naturally flowing wetland environment for use as a mitigation bank. To do this planted pines and existing roads will be removed and irrigation ditches will be filled in across the property. Archaeological investigations of the project were undertaken with the acknowledgment that Coastal Plain interior wetlands were likely keylocations for resource exploitation in the past ( cf., Elliott and Sassaman199 5: 159-160). This is most easily seen in the numerous archaeological sites identified alongside sinks, large aquifer springs, and Carolina Bays found throughout much of Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. More specifically, aquatic resources such as turtles, fish, wetland plants, and birds were likely the target of prehistoric hunter-gatherers, and were used well into the historic period. During the Archaic period, interior and upland resource exploitation was arguably at its greatest; which is typically reflected in occupation assemblages adjacent wetlands. Given investigations which have previously identified such resources, it is likely that they might well be encountered in and around the wetlands along the Ogeechee River.