A Phase I Cultural Resources Survey of 167 Acres at the Volunteer Training Site - Catoosa, Catoosa County, Georgia

MRS Consultants, LLC was contracted by the State of Tennessee, Military Department to perform a cultural resources survey for three training areas on VTS-Catoosa in Catoosa County, Georgia. Phase I research for this project was undertaken to inventory cultural resources within three survey areas including: ±110 acres in the C-9 training area; ±40 acres in the C-10 training area; and ±17 acres in the Cantonment/Fox Road Ridge training area. An intensive pedestrian survey was conducted over the course of 12 days during August and September 2015 to assess the existence of cultural resources, including archaeological sites, historic structures, and cemeteries. Phase I investigations aimed to determine each site’s potential eligibility for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). MRS recorded seven new archaeological sites and revisited one previously recorded cemetery during the course of fieldwork. Table A summarizes the cultural resources identified within each survey area. Five of the sites (9CT134, 9CT135, 9CT136, 9CT138, 9CT139) are artifact scatters that lack intact cultural deposits and lack research potential; therefore, these sites are recommended as not eligible for NRHP nomination. One site, the Massengill Cemetery (9CT36), was previously recommended as not eligible for NRHP nomination by Stanyard et al. (1998). Although the site is considered ineligible for the NRHP, cemeteries are protected by Georgia’s state burial law and thus should continue to be preserved and protected. Two sites, 9CT137 and 9CT140, are recommended as potentially eligible for NRHP nomination. MRS recommends that Phase II testing be conducted at these two sites to determine their NRHP eligibility.