An archaeological evaluation of the reservoir basin and adjoining first terrace areas was carried out by this office on 18 February 1992. The entire area included in the project take lines is in excess of 800 acres. This office does not have the capability to carry out an effective Phase I archaeological survey of an area this large. However, what was attempted was a realistic evaluation of the potential for archaeological resources within the project area. The evaluation preceded by an examination of exposed surfaces along a farm road crossing the project area and making a series of 18 random shovel tests 30 cm deep across the central portion of the floodplain of on the north side of Gaithers Branch. Four shovel tests were made along the first terrace. One small eroded sherd and one half of a large quartz core tool were found in portion of the farm road leading down from the first terrace to the floodplain on the north side of the creek. The point section of a large broken black chert projectile point was found in the road leading down from the first terrace on the south side of the creek. This projectile point was well made and appears to have been of a type that recalls a Dalton or Hardaway type (circa 10,000 years ago).
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