Verification of 33 Archaeological Sites, Lake Oconee Project (Ferc#2413), Greene, Hancock, Morgan, and Putnam Counties, Georgia

In September 1995, Brockington and Associates, Inc. conducted archaeological site verification of 33 previously recorded sites in Georgia Power Company's (GPC) Lake Oconee Project (FERC #2413). Verification of site locations, establishment of site boundaries for verified sites, and preliminary assessment of each verified site's National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) eligibility were required to update the site monitoring portion of Georgia Power Company's Cultural Resource Management Program. Site verification utilized background research and archaeological survey methods to reestablish previously mapped site locations. Background research was conducted at the Georgia State Site Files (University of Georgia, Athens) and the GPC Lake Oconee Field Office. Site locations monitored by GPC personnel since 1990 were relocated using maps and photographs. Archaeological field methods involved pedestrian coverage (i.e., screened shovel testing and visual inspection of exposed ground surface) of each mapped location at 15 meter intervals. Additional investigations were conducted at verified site locations in consultation with the GPC Archaeologist. Background research and field investigations resulted in verification of 28 of 33 sites. No additional monitoring is recommended for 24 verified sites, due to current inundation, previous destruction (by agriculture, tree harvesting, construction and erosion), or location outside the FERC Project Boundary. Four of five unverified sites (9Hk26, 9Mg236, 9Pml42, and 9Pm401) have been destroyed, were originally mislocated, or lacked site type and affiliation information required for verification; these sites require no additional monitoring. Three verified sites and one unverified site require continued monitoring. One of the verified sites (9Ge169) is considered to be eligible for the NRHP; two of these sites (9Ge952 and 9Hk23) are recommended potentially eligible for the NRHP. Due to an inability to access the mapped location of 9Pm402, this site location could not be verified and will require continued monitoring until site verification can be conducted.