Archeological Survey of Proposed U.S. Highway 1 Widening

The Georgia Department of Transportation (DOT) contracted with Southeastern Archeological Services, Inc. (SAS) to archeologically survey the proposed widening of US 1/SR 4 from Wrens, Ga., to a point approximately 0.8 km (0.5 mi) east of Sandy Run Creek in compliance with section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, as amended. DOT project FLF-540(21) involved surveying proposed right-of-way of a 16.9 km (10.5 mi) stretch of US 1/SR 4 that traverses both Jefferson and Richmond Counties. The project began at the intersection of US 1/SR 4 and US 221/SR 47 in Wrens and ended 0.8 km (0.5 mi) east of Sandy Run Creek. Improvements involve expansion of existing two and three-lane portions of US 1/SR 4 to a four-lane highway. Fieldwork was conducted during July 4-7, 1994 and on August 5, 1994 and required 10 person days to complete. Standard intensive survey procedures were employed, which included surface inspection in exposed areas and shovel test excavation in vegetated areas. The entire tract was surveyed on foot. All archeological sites and occurrences were plotted on USGS 1:24,000 topographic maps and on the aerial photographic maps of the project area supplied by the DOT. We recorded a total of nine sites (four prehistoric, one prehistoric and historic, and four historic) and three prehistoric occurrences. Five of the nine sites were recorded previously and are on record at the State Site Files, University of Georgia. One previously recorded site, prehistoric site 9JF49, and one previously unrecorded site, historic site 9JF179, are recommended potentially eligible for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places. The archeological integrity of both sites will not be affected by the proposed highway improvements, however. Close interval shovel testing on 9JF49 in the area of the site that is traversed by proposed right-of-way indicates that this portion of the site has already been adversely impacted by past terrain disturbances. Because the major portion of 9JF179 lies 60 m outside of proposed right-of-way, we could not adequately test 9JF179's archeological significance. Thus, the site's eligibility status remains unknown or potentially eligible. However, the proposed right-of-way will not impact the significant portion of 9JF179. Therefore, no significant archeological resources will be impacted by project FLF-540(21) and SAS recommends that the project be granted clearance to proceed.