The Society for Georgia Archaeology (SGA), founded in the 1930s, is a nonprofit organization composed of avocational and professional archaeologists, and interested members of the general public. The SGA’s mission is to unite all persons interested in the archaeology of Georgia and to work actively to preserve, study, and interpret Georgia’s historic and prehistoric archaeological heritage. Membership is open to all who have an interest in the cultural heritage of Georgia and who will dedicate themselves to the preservation and understanding of that heritage.

Augusta Canal
Augusta Canal

Courtesy of Explore Georgia.

SGA accomplishes its mission in four ways. First, it advocates for archaeological site preservation, often working with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Second, it encourages scientific investigation, study, and interpretation of archaeological remains under professional guidance. Third, it publishes and distributes the results of scientific excavations through its professionally edited journal, Early Georgia, and publishes a quarterly newsletter, The Profile. Finally, it educates the public about archaeology in Georgia through its statewide Archaeology Month, biannual meetings, chapter programs, and resource support.

SGA places special emphasis on supporting the Georgia Community Greenspace Program in conjunction with the Office of the State Archaeologist, which is part of the the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. The Georgia Greenspace Program has preserved such important archaeological sites as the Augusta Canal in the city of Augusta; Rocky Face Ridge, an important Civil War (1861-65) battlefield in Whitfield County; Fort Hawkins in Macon; Brown’s Mill Battlefield in Coweta County; and Swann’s Mill, a Reconstruction-era gristmill on the Alcovy River in Gwinnett County.
Share Snippet Copy Copy with Citation

A More Perfect Union

The New Georgia Encyclopedia is supported by funding from A More Perfect Union, a special initiative of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Image

Augusta Canal

Augusta Canal

A modern tourboat passes the Confederate Powder Works chimney in Augusta along the Augusta Canal. The Georgia Community Greenspace Program has worked to preserve the Augusta Canal as an important historic and archaeological site.

Courtesy of Explore Georgia, Photograph by Ralph Daniel.