Archaeological Survey Driftwood Terrace Project, Darien, McIntosh County

The Driftwood Terrace project is a proposed apartment complex to be built by Davis and Sons Construction Company on the east side of Darien, Georgia (Figures 1 and 2). Since the complex will utilize funding from the Farmers Home Administration (FHA), an archaeological and historical survey was requested prior to development of the tract. Ramona M. Sabis, attorney for Davis and Sons, contracted with South Arc, Inc. to provide the necessary archaeological services. South Arc's principals, Martin F. Dickinson and Lucy B. Wayne, previously completed extensive archaeological and historical studies in Darien for the installation of the city's sewer system (Dickinson and Wayne 1984; Dickinson et al. 1986). In addition, an archaeological survey was completed by the University of Florida for an earlier apartment complex in this area (Johnson 1983). Methodology for the Driftwood Terrace survey was developed based on information from these earlier studies. The basic approach to the survey of the six acre tract was use of a series of screened shovel tests on a 30 meter grid of the tract. Shovel testing was supplemented with surface inspection of the tract and a review of available historic information. No archaeological or historic sites were located by this survey. One isolated lithic flake was recovered adjacent to the road. Although additional tests were placed surrounding this flake, no further evidence of cultural occupation was encountered. The flake is considered to be an isolate and not significant. Based on the lack of cultural resources within this tract, the archaeologists recommend that the Driftwood Terrace project be allowed to proceed without further study.