Cultural Resources Survey and Evaluation of the Proposed Georgia Power Combustion Turbine Plant, Jackson County, Georgia

Archaeological and historical evaluation of the proposed 45.9 acre Combustion Turbine Site, in Jackson County, Georgia, was conducted in November of 1994 for the Georgia Power Company. The tract consists of upland Piedmont acreage which includes old clearcut, recent clearcut, and existing transmission line right of way. The survey utilized screened shovel testing on a 30 m interval; surface survey was also pursued when feasible. The site testing included the excavation of 10 m interval shovel tests, and the excavation of a 50 by 50 cm unit at each site. No previously recorded archaeological sites within the study tract are on file in the Georgia Archaeological State Site Files. Likewise, no standing structures are present. The project resulted in the discovery of four archaeological sites. Site 9JK147 was recognized by an open well; a very sparse subsurface scatter of postbellum artifacts was also present. Postbellum artifacts were recovered from subsurface contexts at site 9JK148. Very sparse subsurface historic remains were evidenced at site 9JK149. Site 9JK150 was a surface scatter of quartz artifacts and a few postbellum artifacts. All four of these sites reflect extreme disturbance due to modern logging activities. None of the sites has the potential to contribute meaningful data on the history or archaeology of the area; all four sites are recommended ineligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). The proposed combustion turbine tract does not contain significant architectural or archaeological remains. The four sites discovered are all recommended as ineligible for the NRHP. Cultural resources clearance to construct is recommended, and no further work is warranted.