MacDill Air Force Base: National Register Eligibility Recommendations for Sites 8HI50 and 8HI5656

This report presents the results of archeological test excavations conducted at two prehistoric sites (8HI50 and 8HI5656) located within MacDill Air Force Base (AFB), Tampa, Florida. These investigations were conducted by Geo-Marine, Inc., under contract with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,Fort Worth District. The purpose of the investigations was to assess the eligibility of each site for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). The excavation methodology involved the hand excavation of systematically placed 50-x-50-cm shovel tests and l-x-l-m excavation units to determine the horizontal and vertical dimensions of the site deposits. The recovered artifacts from site 8HI50 reveal that site occupation occurred between 500 B.C. and A.D. 900 and suggest a Manasota/Weeden Island-related cultural affiliation. Site 8HI5656, on the other hand, was likely occupied during the Late Pre-ceramic Archaic period. Results of the test excavations at site 8HI50 indicate that the portion of the site containing concentrated shell deposits offers very little research potential; therefore, that portion of the site is recommended as ineligible for inclusion in the NRHP. However, that portion of site 8HI50 which exists along the shoreline, beach, and dune line may contain sufficient contextual integrity for inclusion in the NRHP. The recovery of human remains and possible funerary objects during preceding and present investigations may answer pertinent research questions relating to burial practices and other sacred or secular manifestations. It is recommended that the beach portion of site 8HI50 be considered eligible for inclusion in the NRHP. The human remains recovered from the site were re-interred at two separate locations within the site area at the request of the Seminole Nation. Although an inventory of the remains and osteological analyses were recommended by Geo-Marine, Inc., the Seminole requested that no analyses be conducted. To protect the human remains and site from further disturbance by natural or man-made elements, a program of re-vegetation or other stabilization in consultation with Native American tribal representatives should be agreed upon and implemented. Site 8HI5656 is recommended as ineligible for inclusion in the NRHP. The site lacks contextual integrity and exhibits no potential to provide subsistence or artifactual data pertinent to a single recognizable time period.