Sapelo Island: ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATIONS ON PUMPKIN HAMMOCK (9MC350) MCINTOSH COUNTY, GEORGIA

Summary

The coastal zone of Georgia is comprised of barrier islands, back barriers

(hammocks or marsh islands) portions of the mainland coast, salt marsh-lagoon systems,

tidal creeks, brackish water marshes, river channels, and maritime forest communities

(Elliott and Sassaman 1995:7) (Figure 1). Native Americans inhabited the Georgia

coastal zone for over 4500 years and they experienced changes in sea level and their

concomitant effect on resource distribution. For over a century (e.g., Moore 1897),

archaeologists have conducted excavations and research in the coastal region in order to

understand why, how, and when these peoples occupied the landscape.

Much of the archaeological research along the coast has centered on the large

barrier islands (e.g., Sapelo, St. Catherines, Skidaway, etc.) that abut the Atlantic Ocean

(e.g., Crook 1984; Thompson 2006, 2007; Thompson et al. 2004; Thomas 2008; Jefferies

and Moore 2008). Less well understood are the smaller marsh islands, also referred to as

hammocks or back barriers that are located between the large barrier islands and the

mainland. The purpose of this report is to document our current research along on these

marsh islands in terms of past human settlement and use.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Pumpkin Hammock   •
• Sapelo Island

Keywords

Spatial Coverage

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Rachel Black

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