Case study

Native American Archaeology

Data Recovery at the Muscogee Technology Park, Columbus, Georgia

Final excavations at a new industrial park clear the way for development.

By Scot J. Keith and W. Dean Wood
Produced for Jordan Jones and Goulding, Norcross, Georgia
Fall 2001

When the Joint Development Authority proposed to development 2,000 acres of newly acquired land in Muscogee County, Georgia, Southern Research was hired to conduct the final phase of data recovery at three Native American archaeological sites that could not be avoided by the planned development. Our work required a rapid field mobilization and challenging schedule to complete the work so development could proceed. The study of these three archaeological sites contributed to a better understanding of the prehistory and early history of the Native Americans in the Chattahoochee River Valley of western Georgia. Of particular interest was the patterning observed on a Creek Indian farmstead dating to about AD 1800. By looking at the distribution of broken pots and bowls along with the locations of post holes and cooking pits we were able to delineate the locations of at least three buildings surrounding an open courtyard of about one-quarter acre. This spatial patterning is in agreement with the descriptions of William Bartram who visited the Creek Indians living in the Chattahoochee River Valley in 1775 . The excavations were completed ahead of schedule and within budget.