Kings Bay, an arm of Cumberland Sound on the intracoastal waterway in the extreme southeastern corner of Georgia, was the focus of an archeological survey undertaken by University of Florida researchers over a 16 month period in 1977-78. In the course of 9 months of fieldwork 34 aboriginal and historic sites were discovered, defined, and sampled. This report describes the sites in their environmental contexts and evaluates their significance in terms of coastal prehistory and history. Recommendations for cultural resource management and suggestions for further research are made. The aboriginal sites at Kings Bay are primarily oyster shell middens deposited along the edge of the bluff overlooking the salt marsh. They range in age from the St. Simons phase, beginning about 1000 BC to the Mission phase, ending around AD 1700. Evidence of contact between Spanish missionaries and Guale Indians was found at the major site on the bay. Historic sites include late l8th and early 19th century plantations and small homesteads. Determinations of eligibility should be requested from the Secretary of the Interior for the 27 sites found to be potentially National Register eligible. Further archeological testing and excavation will be required if projected development of the area will have adverse impacts on any of these sites.
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