Archaeological Survey of the Proposed State Route 24 Widening and Improvement Corridor

From 28 September to 2 October 1998, Brockington and Associates, Inc. conducted an archaeological survey of a proposed 14 kilometer (8.7 mile) long and approximately 80 meter (240 foot) wide improvement corridor along State Route 24 (SR 24) in Putnam County, Georgia. The project begins approximately 500 meters (1,640 feet) north of Cay Road (CR 245) and extends north to the Eatonton Bypass. The survey was conducted for Kisinger Campo and Associates Corporation to ascertain the potential impacts of such a project on significant archaeological resources in the area. Background research identified three previously recorded archaeological sites within the corridor. These sites were recorded in the 1950s and little information is provided in the site forms. Field investigations conducted at the reported locations of these sites found no archaeological evidence. Archaeological field survey identified four archaeological sites (9PM1149, 9PM1150, 9PM1151, and 9PM1152) and six isolated finds within the corridor. The four sites are light scatters of artifacts in highly eroded areas. Our evaluation indicates that they have little information potential, and we recommend these four sites ineligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). The isolated finds are single artifacts found in eroded areas and are also recommended ineligible for the NRHP. In addition, we identified a small historic period cemetery (9PM591) approximately 3 8 meters (125 feet) outside of the corridor. The cemetery is located on the south side of SR 24, approximately 2.1 kilometers (1.3 miles) southeast of the intersection with Crestview Road (CR 247). The cemetery will not be impacted by proposed highway improvements. Because the cemetery is outside the project corridor, no NRHP evaluation was conducted. The results of this investigation indicate that the proposed road widening and intersection reconstruction will not affect any NRHP eligible archaeological resources. Caution is recommended around the cemetery so that it 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.