Archaeological Reconnaissance of Portions of the Oconee National Forest

An archaeological reconnaissance survey of 4768 acres within the Oconee National Forest, Georgia was conducted for the U.S.D.A. Forest Service. Areas surveyed were on eight Forest Service compartments in Greene, Jones, Putnam, and Jasper Counties. One hundred and fourteen archaeological sites and 41 isolated artifact finds were recorded. The sites included 46 prehistoric, 45 historic, and 13 prehistoric/historic sites, as well as 11 rock pile complexes of unknown age. One site, GA081852, was deemed eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. Fifty-Your sites were recommended for preservation. Further study is needed on these sites before a determination of eligibility for the National Register of Historic Places. Fifty-nine sites were deemed ineligible for the National Register of Historic Places. Highlights of the survey include the location of several village-size sites in Jones and Putnam counties containing Vining simple stamped pottery--a ceramic type first identified in the project area in 1938 by A. R. Kelly. Despite the passage of 50 years since the identification of these ceramics, archaeologists still disagree on the age and cultural significance of these wares. The implications of these sites role in Mississippian period settlement are examined. Another important find was the location of a Lamar period refuse pit feature on Site GA081852 in Putnam County. The artifacts recovered from this feature provide insight into upland subsistence strategies during the Protohistoric period.