Prehistoric Occupations Near Carolina Bays Management Summary

Summary

This Management Summary describes preliminary results of archeaological data recovery at sites 38SU136/137 and 38SU141 undertaken by New South Associates, Inc., between April 26, 1999, and August 13, 1999 on the Poinsett Electronic Combat Range (PECR), Shaw Air Force Base, Sumter County, South Carolina. The two sites contain evidence of human occupation beginning as early as 9,500 years ago. With few exceptions, most recognized archaeological/temporal periods for the interior coastal plain are present at both sites thus emphasizing the cultural and environmental importance of the bay over the past 10 millennia. Sites 38SU136/137 and 38SU141 are situated on the northwestern and northern rim of Big Bay, one of the largest Carolina bays in the southeast. Both of these sites had been recommended as potentially eligible for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) following a Phase I survey (Kriesa et al.1996). Subsequent test excavations supported this recommendation (Cable and Cantley 1998). Since the sites would be indirectly impacted by the construction and operation of a proposed new bombing range, it was decided that data recovery operations were necessary to mitigate adverse effects at these locations. This project also includes a memorandum confirming the Phase III mitigation at these three sites.