Eglin AFB Phase III of 8OK386

Summary

In August 2021, Argonne National Laboratory, acting under a prime contract with the U.S. Department of Energy, awarded Prentice Thomas & Associates, Inc. Contract No. #1-P106-P-00233-001F for Phase III data recovery operations at 8OK386, an archaeological site on Eglin Air Force Base, Okaloosa County, Florida. Also known as the Gin Hole Landing site, 8OK386 hosts prehistoric and historic components over a 39,200 square meter area on the south bank of Yellow River. The historic aspect, which dates predominantly to post-1950s recreational use, was previously determined to lack research potential. In contrast, the prehistoric aspect is characterized by intact Early Woodland Deptford and Late Woodland Weeden Island components evaluated as eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. Additionally, a Wacissa point suggested the possibility of a deeply buried and yet unconfirmed Early Archaic presence. Phase III investigations were tasked to mitigate adverse effects to prehistoric deposits on and near the river threatened by a planned undertaking for bank stabilization along this part of Yellow River. The Area of Potential Effects measures 170 meters east-west by 20 meters north-south. Phase III commenced with a detailed background and literature review, the findings from which constituted baseline data for development of the research design. The strategies adhered to a staged approach incorporated into a Memorandum of Agreement between Eglin Air Force Base, the Florida State Historic Preservation Officer, and interested parties. This report documents Stages 1 and 2. Stage 1 called for vegetation clearing and archaeological sampling with twenty-four 1 meter by 1 meter excavation units. Stage 2 called for excavation of five 2 meter by 2 meter units. All excavations yielded cultural material, with recovery as deep as 120 centimeters below ground surface and cultural deposits are believed to extend deeper in places. The total excavated volume was 56.1 cubic meters, an effort that confirmed Deptford and Weeden Island occupations and discovered an Early Archaic component. Based on the results of Stages 1 and 2, a continuing research potential cannot be argued within the APE for any prehistoric component. The most important discovery was the identification of two apparently intact loci with Early Archaic diagnostics. However, based on recovery of diagnostic points in only two lithic-only proveniences, the evidence for an Early Archaic component is quite limited and its research potential in the APE is diminished by the cumulative findings. Regarding the archaeological record, PTA stresses that all discussion of components, research potential, and integrity apply to the APE only. There is no change to the evaluation of the remainder of 8OK386 as significant.