Phase II Archaeological Testing of a Site in the I-75 to State Route 371 Connector, I-575-1(26)

From July 19 until August 5, 1993, archaeologists from the Transportation Center at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville conducted Phase II testing at 9CK727 in Cherokee County, Georgia. The testing was undertaken in conjunction with the Georgia Department of Transportation proposed connecter from 1-75 to State Route 371. The site is an interchange of the connector at 1-575, Section 1-575-1 (26), and the remaining portions of the connector extend to the east and west from the interchange, Section NH-280-1 (5). Testing of sites in Section NH-280-1(5) are reported elsewhere (Alvey and Lanham 1993). Site 9CK727 is located on the east bank of Hickory Log Creek 0.83 km north of the confluence of the Etowah River and Hickory Log Creek. The testing of 9CK727 consisted of the excavation of bucket auger tests at no more than 20 m intervals across the site area; the placement of tube sampler tests at 1 m intervals in selected areas; and the excavation of 1 m x 1 m test units. The excavation of 21 auger tests at 20 m and 10 m intervals indicated the site measures approximately 72 m N-S and 35 m E-W and the excavation of 5 1 m x 1 m test units revealed a buried cultural component. Excavated remains from 9CK727 indicate the site is early Middle Woodland (Cartersville). The site contains diagnostic Cartersville ceramics, lithic tools, and lithic debris. The site contains an intact buried early Middle Woodland deposit and is considered eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places. Archaeological data collection should be conducted on the site prior to highway construction.