Archeological and Historical Investigation Into A Possible Cemetery at the Poultry Research Center, University of Georgia, Clarke County

The University of Georgia is considering developing an open parcel of land at the University's Poultry Research Center on South Milledge A venue in southern Clarke County (Figure 1). Officials had been told that there were rumors of a cemetery on this parcel and the University, through the consulting engineering firm of Chasman & Associates, asked Southeastern Archeological Services to conduct studies to determine if a cemetery or graves exist on the ca. 1 acre parcel. Archival research, informant interviews and field investigations were carried out by the author from May 2 to May 6, 2005. As described in this report of investigations, there are multiple lines of evidence that strongly suggest that graves do exist on a portion of the parcel.

The parcel in question is a roughly 1.3 ac (130 by 160 ft) trapezoidal tract lying northwest of the main road through the Poultry Research Center and between Brooding House H and the Administration Building (Building A). It was depicted on a University of Georgia Property map that was FAX'd to us by Chasman & Associates (Figure 2). Large segments of all four edges of the parcel have been graded to accommodate adjoining roads and structures. The main body of the parcel is in grass, with a fringe of mature woods at the northwest edge (Figures 3 and 4). We have not determined when the University acquired the land on which the Poultry Center is located, but it was before 1965.