Phase I Archaeological Survey of Select Area within the Proposed Townsend Bombing Range Expansion Area Long and McIntosh Counties, Georgia

Between August and October 2011, Southeastern Archaeological Research, Inc. (SEARCH) conducted a Phase I archaeological survey within the proposed Townsend Bombing Range (TBR) Expansion Area in Long and McIntosh Counties, Georgia. The work was completed within seven survey areas (which correspond with proposed target area identified by the US Marine Corps (USMC) ranging in size from 180 to 400 acres, and totaling approximately 1,732 acres. These parcels are within two larger proposed expansion areas (Expansion Areas 1 and 3), which combined include 34,667 acres. The proposed expansion areas consist of privately owned land, and the USMC originally sought to survey eight areas totaling1,950 acres. Right of Entry (ROE) agreements were secured for seven area (1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8); ROE was not obtained for the proposed 200-acre Survey Area 2 and for a 21-acre portion of Survey Area 1. The work was completed for the USMC under Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southeast (NAVFAC SE) (Contract Number N69450-08-D-0064-0030). The purpose of the study was to identify the location of historic properties to facilitate future planning efforts and to assess potential effect that this proposed undertaking may have on historic properties. There were 6,672 shovel tests excavated withing the seven survey areas. Nine archaeological sites were recorded and 11 isolated finds were documented withing the survey areas. Based on the results of the Phase I survey, four of the sites do not appear to qualify as eligible for inclusion in the NRHP, and no further work is recommended for these sites. It is recommended that Phase II-level testing be completed at the remaining five sites if the USMC acquires this property.