A Cultural Resources Survey of the Proposed Gordon By-pass, Wilkinson, Georgia

Southeastern Archeological Services, Inc., conducted an intensive cultural resources survey of the proposed Gordon By-Pass in Wilkinson County, Georgia from 13-21 July, 1992. The route of the right-of-way is 13.5 km (8.4 mi) long, 76 m (250 ft) wide, and extends from State Highway 57 southwest of town, around the northwestern city limits to State Highway 243 northeast of town, crossing Little Commissioner Creek, Commissioner Creek, Beaver Creek, and a tributary of Beaver Creek. The survey area is located very near the Fall Line in the extreme upper coastal plain, a highly dissected region with marshy floodplains, narrow stream terraces and high ridge divides. Ridges are often dry and sandy with steep slopes and springs are common in some areas. All high probability areas (any area with < 10% slope) along the proposed right-of-way were shovel tested on a 30 m interval, generally in at least two transects. Low probability areas (areas with > 10% slope) were surface inspected and randomly shovel tested. Sites were tested with a 10 or 20 m interval shovel testing pattern. Eight new sites were recorded and one previously recorded site was revisited by this survey. Table 1 provides basic management data for each site. We recommend that two sites are potentially eligible to the National Register. Because the proposed right-of-way has not been land surveyed or marked in the field we cannot be sure how the proposed highway will affect the two sites. It appears that only portions of both will be affected. We recommend further testing once the precise location of the right-of-way has been established in the field.