Phase II Archaeological Testing at Prehistoric Site 9FU668 Project Pandora Tract Union City, Fulton County, Georgia

Greenhouse CONSULTANTS incorporated completed Phase II archaeological testing

fieldwork at Site 9FU668 during July 2015. The purpose of this investigation was to

obtain further data needed to determine whether the site met the defined criteria for

inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) as set forth in 36 CFR

Part 60.4. An initial testing management report was submitted at that time.

Phase I investigations at 9FU668 produced evidence of what initially appeared to be a

spatially discreet prehistoric occupation during the Early Archaic Period with a

smaller Woodland occupation confined to the northern periphery of the site. In

addition, several shovel tests within the site boundary encountered intact soil profiles

indicating there was potential for intact midden deposits preserved below the surface.

For these reasons it was concluded that 9FU668 may have further research potential

in regard to the Early Archaic period and as such, additional field investigations were

recommended in order to more fully evaluate the site for inclusion in the NRHP.

The Phase II investigations produced no further materials attributable to an Early

Archaic occupation. Therefore we conclude that the single Early Archaic artifact

recovered during the Phase I survey was likely the product of the type of ephemeral

occupation that results in little to no midden accumulation. It was also shown that

Woodland occupation was larger than previously believed and that occupational

debris from multiple components was concentrated in a small part of the site. The

intact soil profiles identified during the Phase I survey were outside of the site limits

while soil profiles within the site interior were truncated by severe erosion and

mechanical disturbances. Both of the test units and all of the shovel tests at the core

of the site encountered culturally sterile clay subsoil within 20 centimeters of the

surface.

As a result of the Phase II investigation at 9FU668 we conclude it is highly unlikely

that continued excavation would produce the type of information needed to enhance

our understanding of the Early Archaic Period. We do not believe the site meets the

criteria for listing in the NRHP and recommend no further work.