Cultural Resources Survey of Camp Merrill Water Supply Upgrades Lumpkin County, Georgia

Southeastern Archaeological Services, Inc. contracted with the Corps of Engineers, Savannah District through an existing contract with Gulf Engineers and Consultants, Inc. to conduct an intensive cultural resource survey of the portions of Camp Frank D. Merrill that might be affected by the construction of new water supply facilities. The survey was conducted in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, as amended, with the goal of locating, describing and to the extent possible evaluating the significance of all archaeological sites affected by the proposed undertaking. The project consists of a weir (dam) in the Etowah River, a .24 ha water plant site, a .02 ha water tank site, and about 940 m. of water line, half of which will be placed in existing graded road right-of-ways. The survey was conducted on November 16, 1993. Most of the survey area had previously been altered for construction of roads, parking lots, and structures. These areas were covered in a standard pedestrian survey. The wooded areas that presented the possibility of intact sites were shovel tested. One site, 9LU64, is a small lithic scatter consisting of four small artifacts in a single shovel test on a wooded slope next to the Etowah River. Shovel testing in a cruciform pattern on 10 m intervals yielded no further material. The site is not likely to provide important new information. We therefore recommend that 9LU64 is not eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places and that no further work need be done. In regard to cultural resources the principal investigator recommends that the project be given clearance to proceed.