An Archaeological Survey of a Portion of Roswell Road (S.R. 120) Cobb County, Georgia

This report presents the results of an archeological survey that was conducted along a 2.15 km (1.33 mi) section of State Route 120 (Roswell Road) east of Marietta. The existing five lane roadway is to be modified by adding one lane on each side of the existing road in portions of the project area and reconfiguring the existing roadway in other portions. For the portions to be widened, about 8 m of additional right-of-way will be acquired and as much as 15 m could be affected by construction. Existing conditions, proposed rights-of-way and proposed construction limits were clearly depicted on project maps. Virtually the entire project area is heavily developed with commercial and residential properties that have obliterated any sites that might have once existed. The East Cobb United Methodist Church, the adjoining Marietta Campground Cemetery (established in 1899) and the Marietta Campground (a Methodist meeting ground established in 1837) all border the project at its north end. The project has been designed to completely avoid the Marietta Campground, a National Register eligible property, but the Marietta Campground Cemetery will be affected. The prime goal of the survey was to locate, describe and evaluate the significance of any archeological sites in the area of potential effect, defined as the greatest extent of potential ground disturbing activity. A second goal was to determine if any graves in the Marietta Campground Cemetery would be affected by the proposed widening. The survey included a background and literature review, an on-site field inspection on July 15, 1997 to determine if archeological resources were present, and preparation of this report. No archeological sites were found. Probing of the cemetery determined that no graves exist within the proposed construction zone, which impacts the southeastern-most corner of the cemetery (Plot 4). A subsurface linear feature was detected. We conclude that construction will not affect any archeological sites. Construction will affect the Marietta Campground Cemetery, but no graves will be disturbed. Nevertheless, a permit to affect the cemetery will be needed pursuant to Official Code of Georgia Section 36-72-4.