Archaeological Resources Overview of Shaw Air Force Base and Pointsett Electronic Combat Range, Sumter County, South Carolina

As a result of over 20 years of archaeology, numerous sites have been identified and investigated on Shaw AFB and Poinsett ECR. This report summarizes what has been learned from the work that has been done thus far on some of the more significant sites and provides discussion about the research potential of those sites and direction for future research at Shaw and Poinsett. Most interesting from a prehistoric perspective was the area around Big Bay, which contains numerous multi-component sites with a rich archaeological record that is able to provide detail on household structure, intra-site patterning, ceramic technology, lithic raw material preferences, and prehistoric diet. The significant historic sites can provide information on rural antebellum and Postbellum plantation life, nineteenth century towns, and the lives of African-American farm owners and ministers. Historical documents regarding Shaw and Poinsett abound, particularly for the time of acquisition. These documents, along with census data, family papers, and other resources can provide a detailed look at the communities that existed throughout its history.