Archaeological Assessment of Project STP-186-1(18) Fulton County

An intensive cultural resources survey of the proposed 265 hectare (654 acre) Rockdale County reservoir on Big Haynes Creek located 23 archeological or historic sites. All lie within the proposed boundaries of the reservoir and will be inundated or otherwise impacted during construction. The archeological research potential of each resource was evaluated using the criteria established by the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). Fifteen of the resources are recommended as ineligible to the NRHP because they have been heavily damaged by past agricultural activities, logging, or erosion, or contained very few artifacts and thus would be unlikely to yield additional important information about the region's prehistory or history. Conversely, seven prehistoric sites, all inside the proposed reservoir, may contain significant information. These sites yielded artifacts in relatively great quantity, they appeared to be relatively intact, and consequently they may be able to contribute significant new information about Rockdale County's prehistoric past. However, at the current, low level of investigation this cannot be confirmed. Therefore it is recommended that these seven sites be archeologically tested to determine eligibility status. Testing should include the excavation of shovel tests at regular 10-m intervals, followed by the excavation of between two and six 1 x 1 or 1 x 2 m test pits. Site 9Rol4, Haralson's Mill, is a historic site that also may be eligible to the National Register. The site consists of mill foundations and raceway, which will be inundated by the proposed reservoir. We recommend that additional archival research, detailed mapping of visible features and limited test excavations be conducted at the site to determine its eligibility status.