Phase II Investigation of 22 Sites For Fort Benning Military Reservation, Chattahoochee and Muscogee Counties, Georgia and Russell County, Alabama

Under a continuing services contract with the U.S. Army Environmental Center and the U.S. Army Infantry Center, Directorate of Public Work, Environmental Division, Fort Benning Military Reservation, through U.S. Army Medical Research Acquistion Activity, Panamerican Consultants, Inc. (PCI) conducted a series of Phase II archaeological investigations at 22 sites within the reservation. The objective of this testing was to evaluate each site to determine its eligibility for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) and to make recommendations for future archaeological investigations. This work was undertaken in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 as amended; Executive Order 11593 (Protection and Enhancement of the Cultural Environment); and the Archaeological and Historic Preservation Act of 1974. A total of 22 sites were investigated during the series of Phase II surveys. Multiple components were recorded during the investigations ranging from Paleoindian to the twentieth century. Four of the sites are recommended as eligible for inclusion into the NRHP. All of the sites recommended as eligible have either intact features, stratigraphic integrity, and will enhance the cultural history of the region. Each of these sites need protective measure taken so further disturbances will not deplete their integrity. In addition, four locations had either known historic cemeteries or had potential burials on site. Two sites were contained in the existing fencing, one site needs to have the fence expanded to include two additional burials, and the potential burials at Site 9ME968 do indeed appear to be burials. A 20-x-20 m area should be fenced off around the depressions and that area of the site protected. Lastly, one site consisted of a paleochannel situated along Upatoi Creek. Archaeologically, the site was found to have limited potential for future research and is recommended ineligible for NRHP listing. The remaining 13 sites are recommended ineligible for inclusion in the NRHP and require no further archaeological investigations. These sites have been destroyed or heavily disturbed by previous land use and natural activities.