Acknowledgements

Writing about what human life was like over 11,500 years could be an insurmountable task. Yet, as we delved deeper into the stacks of reports about the upper Savannah River region, the curtain over the past began to part, and the people who once lived near the river slowly came to life. Their stories and our long look back filled us with deep appreciation for the struggles and triumphs of people in all epochs.

Many individuals were helpful in providing information about the area's people, particularly the archeologists, historians, and other scientists who wrote about their research in detailed accounts published in the Russell Papers. David G. Anderson and J. W. Joseph condensed these reports in two technical volumes, with contributors James E. Cobb, Mary Beth Reed, and Joseph Schuldenrein. David Anderson also provided more information and illustrations to enhance this public volume.

John Ehrenhard and John Jameson of the National Park Service, who guided our own research and writing efforts, were invariably helpful and professional. We owe a special debt to John Jameson for his conception of how the story should be told, helpful design suggestions, and archeological insights. He also led us on an informative tour of the lost town of Petersburg and many other sites. Help from Margaret Snyder, contracting officer, is also appreciated, as well as the excellent editing suggestions from Virginia Horak. Dean Wood, Kay Wood, Tom Gresham, and Chad Braley of Southeastern Archeological Services in Athens, Georgia, served as technical advisers, sharing their expertise and reading the manuscript for technical accuracy.

Many of those who deserve credit made their contributions before we arrived to write this final account. Among them was the late Victor Carbone who had a vision of how the Russell studies should be conducted. He was a driving force behind much of the planning, cooperation between agencies, and quality of research and reports. He and the Atlanta-based Interagency Archeological Services Division of the National Park Service developed detailed descriptions of work leading to the research contracts. He also saw that competitive contracting procedures went beyond making awards for low bids, and evaluated researchers' abilities to produce the best work. At the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, James E. Cobb, District Senior Archeologist, and his successor, Paul D. Rubenstein, were instrumental in shaping and guiding the investigations, while Colonel Tilford C. Creel, the District Engineer, was also important in planning the entire project. Bennie Keel, Ed Hession, Harry Scheele, Michael Alterman, and Will Husted, all with the National Park Service staff in Atlanta, also played prominent roles. David McCullough and Judy Wood represented the Corps in the preparation of this volume and provided helpful advice.

Finally, we would like to thank our friends who were especially kind. Don Perryman loaned us useful books, and fed and nurtured us when the deadline loomed, while Dan Thalimer and Carol Thalimer provided computer help. Cary Cleaver Voigt, Artists-In-Education program director for the Georgia Council for the Arts, was an understanding sponsor during much of the manuscript preparation. King Fogle and Linda Moorer also provided useful books and suggestions. And a special nod to Ann Ritter, who unselfishly encourages other writers. Thanks also to our families and other friends, most of whom, like us, had no idea what a rich past a stretch of a river could have, and encouraged us to share the story.

Richard Keeton and Sharon Kane

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