The Results of Shovel Testing at the Heritage Station Museum (9CF305) in Douglas, Georgia

The following is a description of the results of shovel testing at the Heritage Station Museum in Douglas, Georgia. The testing was conducted during Georgia Archaeology Awareness Month in May 2008 by members of the South Georgia Archaeological Research Team (SOGART) and the general public. A day was set aside to give the public an opportunity to witness and participate in archaeology and learn more about the cultural resources around the museum, if any existed. The purpose of this report is to share the knowledge gained from this endeavor.

After gaining the proper permission from the City of Douglas and sending a letter of intent to the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO), the field work was conducted on Saturday, May 17, 2008. Dwight Kirkland served as principal investigator for the project and was assisted by Brian Floyd and Rosanne Moore. Frankie Snow and Chris Trowell lent their years of know ledge and experience to the project. Sherra Parisella, curator at the museum, and her assistant were on hand for support. Several locals, including Mayor Jackie Wilson, stopped by to observe and/or assist with the excavations and washing of the artifacts recovered from the tests.

A total of four tests were dug around the perimeter of the museum and one was dug to the north, across the street in a vacant lot also owned by the City of Douglas and set aside for the museum's use. Each test contained artifacts. The recovered artifacts were cleaned and curated and are presently being stored at the Heritage Station Museum in Douglas, Georgia. Site number 9CF305 from the Georgia Archaeological Site File in Athens was assigned to this site during the project. Further archaeological work for the site in this report is recommended to delineate the extent and integrity of the cultural deposits surrounding the museum.