Management Summary for Phase II Archaeological Investigations of Eight Sites at the Poinsett Electronic Combat Range, Sumter County, South Carolina

Between March 1 to April 18th, 2004, New South Associates, Inc. (NSA) conducted Phase II archaeological investigations of eight sites on the Poinsett Electronic Combat Range (PECR), Shaw Air Force Base, in Sumter County, South Carolina. This Phase II archaeological testing was conducted under subcontract with Geo-Marine, Inc., for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth District, and Shaw Air Force Base. The work was pursuant to the Air Force’s obligations under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended through 199s (P.L. 89-665; 80 Stat. 915; 16 U.S.C. 470 et seq); the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (P.L. 90-190); Executive Order 11593, “Protection and Enhancement of the Cultural Environment”; the American Indian Religious Freedom Act (AIRFA) of 1978; and the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) of 1990. This Phase II investigation focused on eight sites (38SU155, 38SU192, 38SU199, 38SU233, 38SU290, 38SU292, 38SU293, and 38SU294) all of which lie within the Poinsett Electronic Combat Range. The Phase II investigations at the eight sites provided an opportunity to further the understanding of both historical and prehistoric sites in the Upper Coastal Plain in South Carolina. In particular sites 38SU290, 38SU292, 38SU293, and 38SU294 offer a chance to gain valuable insight into the nature of prehistoric communities and lifeways in and around Carolina Bays. The results of this investigation will provide the information necessary to evaluate the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) eligibility of the eight sites.