Shaw Air Force Base: Archaeological Data Recovery at Sites 38SU45, 38SU133, and 38SU145, with Results of Test Excavations Conducted at Sites 38SU136, 38SU137, and 38SU141, Poinsett Electronic Combat Range, Sumter County, South Carolina

This report presents the results of the archaeological testing of sites 38SU136, 38SU137, and 38SU141: and of data recovery conducted at sites 38SU45, 38SU133, and 38SU145, otherwise known as the Blackwater Pond Site Cluster. The sites are located in the Coastal Plain province near the northwestern edge of Big Bay. one of the largest Carolina bays in South Carolina. Situated 50 km east of the Fall Line and within the Wateree River-to-Big Bay sand sheet. these sites offer important new information on a range of problem domains. including geomorphic setting, chronology. settlement patterns. site structure, and social organization. All of the sites are located on land owned by the U.S. Air Force and will be affected by construction of new target areas within the Poinsett Electronic Combat Range. Consequently, data recovery operations at the NRHP eligible sites 38SU45, 38SU133, and 38SU145 were performed to mitigate unavoidable adverse effects caused by new target construction. Likewise Phase II testing was required at the potentially eligible sites 38SU136, 38SU137, and 38SU141 that also will be impacted by target construction. This phase of the current project was accomplished in order to determine the nature and significance of these sites. All work was conducted in accordance with, and in partial fulfillment of, the obligations of the U.S. Air Force under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended through 1991.