Intensive Archaeological Survey of 17.1 Acres, Sugar Creek Golf Drive, DeKalb County, Georgia

During a reconnaissance walkover on November 18, 1999 of an approximately 17.1-acre wooded tract of undeveloped private land in the Soapstone Ridge Historic District, Mr. David Cullison of the DeKalb County Historic Preservation Commission observed fairly deep dark loamy soils. Being located on a ridge toe, such soils have a high probability of containing buried prehistoric sites. According to the Georgia State University Archaeological Survey site files search, three prehistoric sites have been previously recorded in the vicinity of Sugar Creek Golf Drive (sites 9Da93, 9Da94, and 9Da95). All three sites are Late Archaic period lithic scatters that are located on the alluvial floodplain immediately north of the South River. Two of the sites, 9Da94 and 9Da95, are thought to represent small camps, whereas the third and biggest site, 9Da93, could have been a village.

Since property development will severely disturb or destroy any archaeological resources within the 17.1-acre tract under consideration, Mr. Cullison recommended a more intensive archaeological survey of the property. During the intensive archaeological survey conducted by New South Associates, Inc., on February 22, 2000, the ridge toe was shovel tested for buried prehistoric artifacts and exposed boulders and rocks were surface inspected for signs of prehistoric quarrying activities. No resources were found and no further archaeological treatment is recommended. The following report describes the area investigated, the systematic shovel testing and investigation of rocks, and recommendations.