Archaeologists from the Office of the State Archaeologist conducted a reconnaissance survey of the Moody Forest Natural Heritage Area (Figure 1) in Appling County on August 20 and 21, 2002. The purpose of the survey was to examine a variety of environments within the Heritage Area to determine what kinds of archaeological resources are present, and in which environments sites were most likely to be found. Unlike an intensive survey, which attempts to locate and evaluate for National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) eligibility all the significant sites within a specified area, a reconnaissance survey attempts to obtain a broad sample of resources that are present. Date gathered by a reconnaissance survey is not usually sufficient for complying with federal and state environmental regulations for specific ground disturbing projects, but the data can be useful for management plans or for determining the focus and level of intensity of future investigations. Moody Forest Natural Area borders the south bank of the Altamaha River, and is located about 3.5 km downstream of the US 1 bridge over the river. The property includes approximately 7 km of river frontage, a broad floodplain, and dissected uplands with numerous small streams. The floodplain con gins swamps and ponds in abandoned river channels.
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