Archaeological Evaluation at the Mobley Strip Site (9Ce46) Chattahoochee County, Ft. Benning, Georgia

Panamerican Consultants, Inc., archaeologically tested a portion of 9Ce46, the Mobley Strip site, in the northeastern part of Ft. Benning in Chattahoochee County, Georgia. Between March 17 and 23, 1993, fieldwork concentrated on a rectangular area 120 meters (m) east-west by 240 m north-south (28,800 sq. m) located on the relatively flat and clear terrain of an upland terrace overlooking Upatoi Creek. The Army proposes to construct infantry trenches in an existing "training objective," which consists of a bermed bunker defensive area covering about 1,125 sq. m within the larger testing area. The fieldwork was conducted by surface-collecting the area, putting 91 shovel tests throughout a 20-m grid interval network, and excavating eight 1-m by 1-m test units selectively placed across the study area. Some previous disturbance existed at the training objective area, and deep sandy soils have probably received much bioturbation besides historic and recent military impacts. The study was not tasked to work beyond the rectangular area, although informal reconnaissance of the surrounding terrain showed both prehistoric and historic evidence extending beyond the work area. Cultural materials directly north of the testing area appear to be previously recorded 9Ce46, and we view the present study to be focused on an extension of that site. Testing recovered 1,284 historic artifacts and 1,130 prehistoric artifacts; no features were identified. Most archaeological time periods are represented, but time-diagnostic prehistoric artifacts were scarce. At least traces of occupation at the study area relate to Paleoindian, Early through Late Archaic, Middle and Late Woodland, Early Mississippian, and historic aboriginal times. Later historic occupation was linked to a mean ceramic date of 1857, with continuing historic activity until the time of the 1941 Federal acquisition of the land. The testing area may have been part of the nearby Box Springs community across Upatoi Creek (in Talbot County). Three cultural loci were identified: (1) a midden concentration of historic debris, (2) a portion of the southern testing area where Averett phase artifacts appear to be somewhat concentrated, and (3) a prehistoric locus coinciding with the northern part of the testing area. The Averett locus is recommended to be eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP); avoidance of this area is suggested. The remaining loci are recommended to be insignificant, with no further action advised.