Phase II Archaeological Testing on Eight Sites in the Proposed Rockdale County Reservoir Tract on Big Haynes Creek

This report documents the results of the Phase II archaeological testing efforts conducted on eight sites (9RO7, 9RO11, 9RO13, 9RO14, 9RO18, 9RO20, 9RO21, and 9RO24) within the boundaries of the Big Hyanes Creek Reservoir tract in Rockdale County, Georgia. These sites were previously identified and recorded for the first time by southeastern Archaeological Services, Inc. (SAS) of Athens, Georgia, in 1989 and 1991. The proposed floodpool level of the Big Haynes Creek Reservoir will inundate all cultural resources below the 735 foot elevation level, impacting at total of 654 acres (265 ha). Four prehistoric site (Haralson Mill) appear to meet eligibility Criterion D for listing on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) (Department of the Interior 1977). Additionally, Haralson Mill appears to meet Criterion c in terms of mill construction. The Phase II testing efforts conducted at each site followed the recommendations submitted to Wiedeman and Singleton, Inc. (Braley and Price 1991) and the “Programmatic Agreement” filed with the United States Corps of Engineers, Savannah District. The Phase II testing efforts were conducted by the author, two assistant field directors, a senior field technician, and two field assistants on a part-time basis from October 22, 1992 through January 15, 1993. The investigations of the seven prehistoric sites were conducted by means of the establishment of a 10 m interval grid across the site landform. A series of shovel test pits (STPs) was excavated at each site to determine horizontal and vertical artifact concentrations and the integrity of the cultural deposits present on each site. Following the excavation of the STPs, a series of 1 x 1 m test units was placed within portions of the site were likely present. The investigation of Haralson Mill (site 9RO14) was twofold in nature and consisted of 1) a thorough background literature and records search and chain-of-title search by Garrow and Associates, Inc. staff historian Jeffrey L. Holland, and, 2) the detailed mapping of and limited excavation within the three remaining standing architectural structures. A total of 363 STPs, 24 1 x 1 m test units, and one feature was excavated by Garrow and Associates, Inc. during the current investigations. These testing efforts have resulted in the generation of significant information pertaining to the occupation of the prehistoric sites from the Archaic period through the Woodland period (ca. 7,950 B.C.-A.D. 900) and to the early twentieth century in Georgia.