Phase III Archaeological Data Recovery at Sites 9GO375 and 9GO390 on the Center Point-Moss Lake No. 2 Transmission Line

New South Associates, Inc. (New South) conducted Phase III Archaeological Data Recovery Excavation at two sites (9GO375 and 9GO390) on the proposed route of the Center Point-Moss Lake No. 2 transmission line in Gordon County, Georgia. This project was conducted for the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), who plans to erect transmission line pole structures in the boundaries of 9GO375 and 9GO390. These sites were previously identified and evaluated by Tennessee Valley Archaeological Research (TVAR) in 2016, and were determined eligible to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) following Phase I and II investigations. The level of effort was specified in a scope of work (SOW) from TVA and satisfies stipulations in a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between TVA, the Georgia State Historic Preservation Office (GA SHPO), and Federally-recognized Indian tribes.

Work at 9GO375 included the excavation of 100 square meters and mechanical stripping of approximately 436 square meters, while at 9GO390, 104 square meters were excavated and approximately 972 square meters were mechanically stripped. The data recovery included unit excavation, mechanical excavation, feature excavation, flotation, column samples, geoarchaeological assessments, laboratory analysis, accelerated mass spectrometry (AMS) dating, faunal analysis, and paleoethnobotanical analysis.

Site 9GO375 has three distinct identified components (Late Archaic, Early Woodland, and Late Woodland-Mississippian). Site 9GO390 has five distinct identified components (Early Archaic, Middle Archaic, Late Archaic, Early Woodland, Middle Woodland, and Late Woodland). At both sites, all components were found in the plow zone, with only small remnants of the site below the plow zone. Components overlap spatially, the Archaic components being dispersed throughout the Area of Potential Effect (APE), while the Early Woodland component is largely concentrated in a small central area. Other components are reflected in ephemeral deposits.

Based on the results of the investigation and the completion of this and prior reports, the TVA has fulfilled their obligations and agreements with the GA SHPO under Section 106 of the

National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966, as amended. As a result, New South recommends that TVA be allowed to proceed with the planned undertaking.