Archaeological Survey of the Proposed Widening and Reconstruction of State Route 53, Hall County, Georgia

Brockington and Associates, Inc. contracted with Kisinger Campo and Associates, Corporation to conduct an archaeological resources survey of a 10.9 km (6.8 miles) long corridor along State Route 53 (S.R. 53) in Hall County, Georgia from just south of S.R. 13 to Bennefield Road. This portion of the highway is slated for widening from two (2) to six (6) lanes to a point south of S.R. 13 and from two (2) to four (4) lanes from that point to Bennefield Road. This portion of the highway is slated for widening to a maximum of six lanes, in addition to the reconstruction of several intersections. This survey was intended to ascertain the potential impacts of such a project on archaeological resources in the area, and was undertaken in compliance with cultural resources legislation (Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, 16 USC 470, as amended 1992), and cultural resources regulations (36 CFR 800: Protection of Historic Properties). Background research consisted of a review of data from the Georgia State Archaeological Site Files at the University of Georgia in Athens to ascertain the presence or absence of previously recorded archaeological sites along the survey corridor. The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) list, located at the Historic Preservation Division (HPD) of the Department of Natural Resources in Atlanta, was checked for previously recorded historic properties in the vicinity. Local sources, such as county histories and newspapers, were examined for information relevant to this research. Historic maps of the project region and archaeological reports of projects in the vicinity were also consulted. No previously recorded archaeological resources are present either along the survey corridor or within 0.8 km (0.5 miles) of it. Fieldwork consisted of a combination of methods including intensive archaeological survey, surface inspection, and visual reconnaissance of the entire project corridor and several cross street intersections slated for reconstruction. Pedestrian transects were conducted along the project corridor and 345 shovel tests were excavated at 30 m (100 ft) intervals. Field survey resulted in the identification of three isolated finds: (1) one piece of blue sponged whiteware; (2) one quartz flake; and (3) one Ridge and Valley chert flake. Additional shovel tests excavated in cardinal directions from the recovery point of each of these artifacts yielded no additional artifacts. No archaeological sites were identified. The results of this investigation indicate that the proposed road widening and intersection reconstruction will not impact any archaeological resources. Near its southern end, the project corridor passes within 1 m (3 ft) of the fenceline for the Lott Family cemetery. Extreme caution is recommended in this area to ensure that the cemetery is not disturbed during construction. This investigation has fulfilled the regulatory requirements set forth in Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (1966, as amended 1992) as they pertain to archaeological resources.