The Georgia Department of Transportation has proposed the replacement of the Sidney Lanier Bridge, over the Brunswick River in Glynn County, Georgia. In order to identify potential submerged cultural resources in the area to be impacted by construction of the bridge, the Georgia Department of requested a submerged cultural resource remote sensing survey using side scan sonar and a marine magnetometer. The investigation completed by Tidewater Atlantic Research (TAR) of Washington, North Carolina, was designed to provide accurate and reliable identification, assessment, and remote sensing documentation of submerged cultural resources located within the proposed 250-foot-wide bridge alignment corridor. Prior to the fieldwork investigation, a program of historical and documentary research was carried out to provide a proper framework for submerged cultural resource assessment in the Brunswick River. The field investigation involved the systematic collection of magnetic and acoustic data from the survey area. That survey was carried out on 7 and 8 October 1991. Magnetic data was contour plotted at 10 gamma intervals. Side scan sonar records were then studied in conjunction with the magnetic contour map, allowing researchers to identify potentially significant targets. Three targets were identified during the investigation, however all appear to be associated with modern debris from the existing bridge. Due to the nature of the target signatures no additional archaeological investigation is recommended in association with the proposed project.
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