Archaeological Survey and Evaluation of the Mars Hill Road/State Route 53 Corridor Oconee County, Georgia

In October 1999, Brockington and Associates, Inc., conducted archaeological survey of an 8.0 km (5.0 miles) segment of Mars Hill Road/State Route (SR) 53 slated for highway widening and intersection improvements in Oconee County, Georgia. This investigation was conducted for Moreland Altobelli Associates, Inc. in association with their contract with the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT). The project corridor begins at the intersection of State Highway 15 and Mars Hill Road within the city limits of Watkinsville, Georgia. The corridor runs northwest along Mars Hill Road/SR 53 past Oconee County High School. The corridor continues to follow Mars Hill Road to its northwest terminus at its intersection with Jimmy Daniel Road. The corridor then continues north, terminating at Highway 316. This last section of the survey corridor is slated for new construction. The survey corridor width varies from 46 to 61 meters (151 to 200 ft). This investigation consisted of background research and pedestrian survey of the project corridor. Background research identified a number of previously recorded archaeological sites within 0.8 km (0.5 mile) of the project corridor. However, all of these sites are outside the direct impact area and will not be impacted by the proposed road improvements. No prehistoric archaeological sites were identified within the project corridor. However, a historic cemetery is located within the direct impact zone of the proposed road improvements. This cemetery is located 0.16 km (0.1 mile) northwest of the Mars Hill Road/SR 53 intersection, adjacent to Shady Grove Church and directly across the street from Oconee County High School. The main section of the cemetery is located more than 30 meters (98 ft) from the edge of Mars Hill Road; however, four grave stones are located in two small patches of woods only 9 meters (29 ft) from the edge of the pavement. We recommend avoidance of the four graves located within the direct impact area.