A Phase I Archaeological Survey for a 38-Acre Portion of the Wallace Dam Project (FERC #2413) Hancock County, Georgia

In August 2020, Brockington and Associates, Inc. (Brockington) conducted a Phase I archaeological survey of the 38-acre Wallace Dam tract in Hancock County, Georgia. The project tract is located approximately 360 meters (m) north of Wallace Dam and 300 m east of Lake Oconee. The tract is bound to the east by Wallace Road and to the north by Wallace Dam Road (Figure MS.1). This survey was conducted on behalf of Georgia Power Company (GPC) to aid in its compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966 (as amended through 2000). The survey was an archaeological identification effort prior to the construction of an oxygen carrying pipeline. Brockington conducted the Phase I survey to meet federal and state guidelines. The investigation was consistent with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Guidelines for Identification (National Parks Service [NPS] 1983) and followed current Georgia Standards and Guidelines for Archaeological Investigations (2019) as outlined by the Georgia State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) and the Georgia Council of Professional Archaeologists (GCPA). The goal of the survey was to locate and evaluate all archaeological sites within the area of proposed development so that potential effects to identified resources could be evaluated. The proposed project would involve ground disturbance related to the construction of an oxygen-carrying pipeline and staging area. Archaeological survey consisting of 30-m-interval shovel testing was conducted within the 38-acre property. In addition to shovel testing, a pedestrian surface survey was conducted at 15-m intervals. The Phase I archaeological resources survey consisted of both background research and field investigations. Background research consisted of an examination of archaeological site forms for previously recorded sites and reports for previous cultural resource investigations conducted in the vicinity of the project tract. The investigated records are maintained by the Georgia Archaeological Site File (GASF). Additional research was conducted at the Hancock County Archives and other local and regional repositories. Brockington personnel also spoke with local informants. No National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) properties or previously recorded sites were identified via background research within the project tract. Field investigations for the current project consisted of 30-m-interval shovel testing within the entire 38-acre property tract. Shovel test locations that were positioned in areas with standing water or disturbed by modern utilities or roads were not excavated. Fill from shovel tests was screened through one-quarter-inch hardware mesh and systematically examined for artifacts and other evidence of past human activities. Of the 99 planned shovel tests, 69 were excavated with one yielding a positive result. As a result of field investigations, one previously unrecorded archaeological site was identified (Figure MS.2). 9HK299 is a historic house site with a Middle Woodland component. Shovel tests were excavated at close intervals yielding another eleven positive shovel tests. Artifacts (n=18) included alkaline glazed gray-bodied hollowware stoneware; colorless molded glass; window glass; colorless molded glass medicine bottle; brick; translucent quartz flake; whiteware; colorless glass container; cut nails; and milky quartz biface tool fragment. At present, 9HK299’s eligibility for inclusion on the NRHP remains unknown. Additional research is needed to determine whether the site is eligible for inclusion on the NRHP. Based on our preliminary assessment, 9HK299 remains unassessed for inclusion to the NRHP. As such, Brockington recommends avoidance of 9HK299. If avoidance is not feasible, Phase II archaeological testing is recommended to determine final NRHP eligibility.