An Archaeological Survey of the Proposed Improvements to the U.S. 441 Bridge over Mill Creek: Coffee County, Georgia

Southeastern Archeological Services (SAS) conducted an intensive archeological survey and site testing of the proposed widening and new construction associated with improvements to the U.S. 441 bridge over Mill Creek, in Coffee County, Georgia. The project begins approximately 0.7 km (0.4 mi) south of the intersection of C.R. 107/U.S. 319 and U.S. 441. It terminates 0.1 km to the north of this intersection. The proposed new right-of-way extends a maximum of 45.7 m (150 ft) from the existing rightof-way. In addition, the survey included some new location right-of-way at the intersection of C.R. 107/U.S. 319 and U.S. 441. This measured 30.5 m (100 ft) in width. No previously unreported sites were identified in the project area. However, two previously identified sites were relocated and tested (Table 1). Both of these sites are multicomponent prehistoric artifact scatters first recorded by DOT archeologist Rowe Bowen (1984). Mill Creek Site #1 (9CF63) is located to the north of Mill Creek, at the intersection of U.S. 319 and 441. Steinen (1994) attempted to relocate the site on another survey of road improvements, but was largely unsuccessful. He suggested that the site was destroyed and recommended that it was ineligible to the National Register. However, our survey and testing demonstrated that portions of the site are not only intact, but also contain relatively substantial deposits. We recommend that the site is eligible to the National Register, but in response to our recommendation the DOT has designed the proposed right-of-way to avoid the areas of potential significance. The portion of site 9CF63 lying within the area of potential effect will not be affected by the proposed project because of previous disturbance. Mill Creek Site #2 (9CF181) is located immediately to the south of Mill Creek. Steinen (1994) was unsuccessful in his attempt to relocate the site on his survey of proposed road improvements, and recommended that it was ineligible to the National Register. Site 9CF181 was relocated for the present study. Furthermore, we identified relatively dense and reasonably well preserved deposits on one portion of the site. As a result, we recommend that the site is eligible to the National Register. Again, however, the DOT has designed the proposed right-of-way to avoid the area of significance in response to our recommendation. We therefore recommend that the portion of site 9CF181 lying within the area of potential effect will not be affected by the proposed project because of previous disturbance. In sum, the two sites within the project corridor are eligible to the National Register. However, the portions of these sites lying within the proposed right-of-way are sparse and disturbed. As a result, the proposed construction should have no effect on these sites.