Archaeological Resource Survey and Evaluation of the Proposed Costley Mill Corridor

Archaeological survey and evaluation of the proposed Costley Mill Road corridor in Rockdale County, Georgia was conducted in February 1994. The survey corridor includes new right-of-way between State Route 138 and Big Haynes Creek. The survey corridor begins at State Route 138 and extends eastward, paralleling the Yellow River, to Costley I Road. The corridor crosses Costley Mill Road, heading in a southeastern direction to at Costley Mill Road approximately 150 feet northwest of Big Haynes Creek. Survey included the portion of Costley Mill Road to be widened as part of this corridor development. Project goals included (1) location and evaluation of all archaeological resources which might be impacted by proposed construction activities and (2) development. Historical and archaeological research consisted of examination of relevant archival resources and field survey. Field survey involved pedestrian coverage of the entire length of the 2.83 mile long project corridor. Screened shovel testing and visual inspection of exposed ground surfaces were used to locate and evaluate archaeological resources. This survey resulted in the discovery and evaluation of site 9RO90 and one isolated Neither 9RO90 nor the isolated find are considered eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. Based on the findings of this cultural resource survey, it is recommended the proposed impact corridor be given archaeological clearance to proceed. While conducting the survey of the corridor, a land surveyor pointed out the location isolated historical feature, outside the project corridor. Site 9R089, an undetermined historic feature (possibly a grave), was discovered 75 meters south and outside of the impact corridor. The indeterminate historic feature will not be affected by the proposed Costley Road construction, but additional investigations are recommended if future developments plan to impact the feature.