Second Addendum to the Phase I Archaeological Survey of SR 119 at the Ogeechee River and Overflow

On behalf of Arcadis and the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), New South Associates, Inc. (New South) previously conducted a Phase I Archaeological Survey in advance of replacing two existing, non-historic, structurally deficient, functionally obsolete two-lane bridges along SR 119 over the Ogeechee River (GDOT Bridge No. 031-0050-0) on the Bulloch/Effingham county line and the overflow bridge (GDOT Bridge No. 031-0049-0) to the west in Bulloch County (Keith and Carpenter 2017). GDOT contracted New South under Task Order #13 to conduct an Addendum to the Phase I Archaeological Survey referenced above.

The initial survey employed an Area of Potential Effect (APE) and Expanded Survey Corridor (ESC) because concept plans had not been developed by the time fieldwork commenced (Keith and Carpenter 2017). Revised concept plans received on April 18, 2018 indicated that an addendum survey was required, which is the subject of this report. The southwestern end of the project extended an additional 354 feet (108 m) southwest. The proposed road alignment shifted a maximum of 24.2 feet (8 m) northwest of the existing centerline at the northeastern edge of the original survey area. It also decreased in offset until it tied into existing alignment at the southwestern edge. All other project changes were covered in the original survey completed in 2017. New South extended the survey parameters used by Keith and Carpenter (2017) to encompass the 354-foot (108-m) addition to the original survey, including the existing Right-of- Way (ROW) as the addendum APE, and an additional 100-foot (30 m) buffer zone beyond for the addendum ESC. Thus, the total area surveyed for this addendum measures 394 feet (120 m) northwest-southeast and 354 feet (108 m) northeast-southwest.

Using a combination of visual examination and systematic shovel testing, surveyors followed transects running parallel to the centerline of SR 119 and spaced 100 feet (30.48 m) apart to search for archaeological remains. New South investigated 23 shovel test locations, representing full coverage of the Addendum APE and ESC at no greater than 30-meter intervals. Of the 23 test locations, two were positive for archaeological materials, nine were negative, and 12 were not excavated because of road pavement, slope, disturbance from utilities, or standing water. 

The two positive shovel tests resulted in the identification of one new archaeological site, 9BU132. The full extent of this site is still not known because it has not been fully delineated to the southwest and southeast outside of the Addendum APE and ESC. The evaluated portion measures 40x30 meters and revealed intact deposits representing chronologically diagnostic and technologically representative artifacts associated with precontact Woodland- or Mississippian-period people and practices. Because any construction activity has the potential to disturb intact subsurface deposits, New South recommends avoidance of site 9BU132. If avoidance is not possible, then a Phase II investigation should be initiated prior to any ground disturbance. An Environmentally Sensitive Area should be established for the site.