Phase II National Register Testing and Preliminary Evaluation of 102 Archaeological Sites within the Fort Benning Military Reservation, Chattahoochee and Muscogee Counties, Georgia

This report presents the results of Phase II National Register testing and evaluation of 102 archeological sites within the Fort Benning Military Reservation, located in Chattahoochee and Muscogee Counties, Georgia. The sites, 44 and 58 in Chattahoochee and Muscogee Counties respectively, have been identified through a variety of survey methods since the 1950s. As part of the Base Realignment and Closure process, Fort Benning will be expanding its activities; as a result, on-base construction will be required to meet these expanded needs. During the anticipated construction process, hundreds of historic resources may be affected. This fieldwork effort tested and evaluated the significance of 102 of these historic resources, applying the National Register Criteria for Evaluation (36 CFR 60.4[a-d]). The Phase II investigations were designed to identify and record the distribution of cultural features at each site; to obtain additional data on the chronological placement of each site; and to make determinations of significance for each of the sites. Thirteen sites were assessed as possessing those qualities of integrity and significance defined by the National Register of Historic Places Criteria for Evaluation (36 CFR 60.4 [a-d]) under Criterion D: 9CE100/114, 9CE1161, 9CE1365, 9CE2011, 9CE2357, 9CE2420, 9ME158, 9ME691, 9ME1031, 9ME1040, 9ME1100, 9ME1291, and 9ME1319. Four of these sites represent historic period occupations, while the remaining nine sites are prehistoric. Because these sites have been assessed as eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places, they should continue to be protected. In the event that adverse impacts to these sites cannot be avoided, further consultation with the Georgia SHPO should be initiated. Such consultation may result in development of treatment plans for mitigation and/or Phase III data recovery of these sites prior to any proposed construction. The remaining 89 sites do not possess those qualities of integrity and significance defined by the National Register Criteria for Evaluation (36 CFR 60.4 [a-d]). No further work is recommended with regard to these 89 sites. A total of 169 discrete cultural components were identified during the Phase II National Register Testing and Evaluation of the 102 sites examined during this study. The ratios presented in the following discussion represent the percent of total components. Late Archaic (9.5 per cent), Early Woodland (10.1 per cent) and Middle Woodland (10.1 per cent) components were the most common prehistoric components identified among the sites. One observation that emerged from the present investigation was the continuing problem of site disturbance through logging, military activity, and erosion. Despite the posting of signs protecting site areas, some of these activities apparently have continued on or near posted site areas and have affected the integrity of some sites. Although signs can help prevent logging and military activity in some site areas, a program of signage alone will not stop erosion. Moreover, while working on the base, archeological field personnel encountered the base environmental program of proscribed burning of training compartments. Although burning does not affect archeological deposits directly, removal of the ground cover through burning does increase soil run-off and erosion. We recommend that the interval between proscribed burns be increased to protect archeological sites on the base more effectively.