Archaeological Investigations Conducted at Fort Frederica National Monument, Glynn county

The Southeast Archeological Center (SEAC) conducted archeological investigations in May 1990 prior to the installation of a new water and sewer system and the placement of a waterline down the center of Broad Street in the old town. In February 1991, investigations were conducted prior to the construction of a 1) boardwalk and fence at Bloody Marsh, 2) fence around the burial grounds, and 3) fence around the interpretative area and gardens. These projects were conducted in compliance with the Archeological Resources Protection Act, Historic Preservation Act and Executive Order 11593. During the 1990 investigations, a total of 75 shovel tests were excavated. The survey area was divided into nine site areas based upon the locations along the proposed trench lines. The soil removed from the holes was screened through 1/4" mesh to assure the recovery of small artifacts. A total of 770 artifacts were recovered, 383 of which were recovered from the ten shovel tests excavated down the center of Broad Street. Evidence of a prehistoric occupation was discovered along Trench 2, leading from the visitor center towards the maintenance area. Fiber tempered and sand tempered ceramics were recovered. Sand tempered sherds were also recovered from the investigations conducted along Broad Street. The remaining artifacts recovered related to the utilization of the area during the initial settlement period and from the more recent utilization as a park. No additional archeological investigations are warranted in association with the installation of the water and sewer lines. However, if additional ground disturbance is anticipated in the future, archeological investigations should be conducted in order to better define the limits and characteristics of the prehistoric components. Fifty-seven shovel tests were excavated during the 1991 investigations - 20 for the burial grounds, 13 for Bloody Marsh, and 24 for the garden/interpretive area. The soil removed from the holes was screened through 1/4" mesh to assure the recovery of any artifacts. Fifty-three artifacts were returned to SEAC for analysis, seven were deemed worthy of curating. These included three fiber tempered plain sherds, two chert flakes, two dark green/black glass sherds, two amber glass sherds, and one sherd of coarse earthenware. Of primary interest from the 1991 investigations was the recovery of the fiber tempered plain sherds and the lithic flakes. These indicate an aboriginal utilization of the area where the garden is located. The sherds were recovered from below the level of disturbance of the garden thus no additional archeological work is warranted at this time. Should ground disturbance in the future exceed the depth of the existing disturbance, ca. 30 cmbs (about a foot) then additional investigations should be conducted in order to better define the limits and extent of this resource. No additional archeological investigations are deemed necessary for the construction of the Bloody Marsh boardwalk and fence or for the fence around the burial ground. The excavation of the shovel tests where the fence post would be installed has mitigated any adverse impacts that would have occurred. No significant cultural resources were discovered in any of these tests.