An Archeological Survey of Lakefield Court Extension

This report presents the results of an archeological survey that was conducted at the location of a proposed connector road between McDonough Highway and Flat Shoals Road, just south of Conyers in central Rockdale County (Figure 1). The project consists of the construction of mostly new roadway that will be about 800 in long. However, the western 100 in of the project is existing road (Lakefield Drive) and the eastern 50 in is comprised of Lakefield Court. Beyond these developed portions, the corridor traverses an earthen dam and terraced, abandoned farmland. The survey was performed in anticipation of receiving federal funds for the project. Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (as amended) requires consideration of effects of federally funded or permitted projects on significant cultural resources (archeological sites). The goal of the survey was to locate, describe and evaluate the significance of any archeological sites in the area of potential effect. The survey included a background and literature review, an on-site visit on September 19, 1997 to determine if archeological resources were present, and preparation of this report. No archeological sites were found. Historic standing structures (those 50 years old or older) were also surveyed and the results of that survey (no such structures exist in the area of potential effect) were reported in a separate document. The project area consists of a corridor approximately 30 in (100 ft) wide and 800 in (2625 ft) long. Beginning at the western terminus, at McDonough Highway (State Route 20), the first 120 in of the project is an existing paved road that bisects a shopping center (Figure 2). Behind this, for another 100 in is graded land that also contains a sewer line with above ground manholes. This graded area extends to the graded flank of an earthen dam that forms a small pond. The sewer line parallels the dam about 30 in below (southeast of) the dam. Immediately east of the dam and pond, the proposed roadway angles to the northeast, crossing terraced slopes that appear in 1940 aerial photographs as cultivated fields. Near the top of the ridge at Flat Shoals Road the proposed corridor runs along the eastern edge of an office park, which adjoins a large church complex. The eastern most 80 m is an existing road, Lakefield Court.