Henefield, Susan M. AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF THE MIDDLE AND LOWER APALACHICOLA RIVER VALLEY, NORTHWEST FLORIDA Abstract: The University of South Florida, Department of Anthropology, conducted an archaeological reconnaissance survey of the middle and lower Apalachicola River Valley in northwest Florida during the summer of 1985. This survey was financed in part with historic preservation grant assistance provided by the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, administered through the Division of Historical Resources, previously known as the Division of Archives, History and Records Management, Florida Department of State. The goals of this project were to locate as many sites as possible in this poorly known area during the eight week field season, and to test existing settlement models. The survey consisted of surface reconnaissance on foot, by truck, and by boat, with some subsurface testing. One hundred six new sites were re-ported for the middle and lower river valley. A predictive model for site location was generated from these data. Sites included components from all prehistoric culture periods except Paleo-Indian. Large shell mounds, previously unreported, were discovered in the estuarine area and offer excellent opportunities for future investigation. No historic aboriginal sites were located. The data obtained show distinct difference in settlement patterns between the middle and lower river valley. Many new research questions can be examined in the light of these data.