Archaeological Assessment of Hidden Hills Subdivision, Dougherty County

As you are aware, Mr. Danny Blackshear requested that my archeological consulting firm investigate undeveloped lots in the Hidden Hills subdivision for the purpose of determining if any graves occur, and if so, where they occur. Claims had been made of graves near the end of Daylor Drive and Mr. Blackshear desired to have a professional investigation of those claims.

Our firm has been conducting archeology in Georgia for 25 years and has investigated and delineated slightly over 50 cemeteries in the past 15 years. In addition, we have exhumed and moved about twelve cemeteries in accordance with OCGA 36-72-4. I have personally directed most of these projects. In addition to my role as a registered professional archeologist (RP A), I directed the recording of 450 cemeteries in my home county of Oglethorpe for our historic society. Thus, I have considerable experience with recognizing and delineating graves and cemeteries.

My investigation consisted of two techniques, visual inspection for evidence of graves and subsurface probing. Christian graves are oriented east-west (head to the west), usually are in rows, usually are marked by a linear depression (the result of the collapse of the coffin and subsequent slumping of soil) and sometimes have fieldstones at the west end or other ornamentation (such as bottles or vases). These are all visible indicators that can be observed by trained and experienced personnel. Some graves, for a variety of reasons, have no visible indicators. These can often be detected by probing the ground with a 3-ft long solid metal probe to detect the softer, less compacted soil of a grave shaft, as opposed to undisturbed, hard packed surrounding clay subsoil.