Archaeological Survey and Testing for the Proposed US 19 Wetland Mitigation, Sumter County, Georgia

From 27 March through 14 April 2000, Brockington and Associates, Inc., conducted intensive archaeological resources survey and testing of the proposed US 19 Wetland Mitigation area in Sumter County, Georgia. These investigations were carried out under Task Order 90 with Greenhorne & O'Mara, Inc., for the Georgia Department of Transportation. The project was conducted in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, and 36 CFR Part 800, by personnel qualified under 36 CFR Part 61, Appendix A. The total US 19 Wetland Mitigation area of potential effect (APE) equals approximately 162 hectares (400 ac). The project area is south of Americus, Georgia along Muckalee Creek, east of the Central of Georgia Railroad (Figure 1). The project area encompasses clear cut areas, planted pines, hardwoods, and grassy feed plots, with briers and privet as undergrowth. No previously identified historic or prehistoric cultural resources were identified within the project area boundaries through background research. However, three sites (9SU6, 9SU7, and 9SU121) are located within a radius of 1 mile. Two of these sites (9SU7 and 9SU121) are considered not eligible for the NRHP, but 9SU6 was recommended eligible. Prior to the construction of the Mill Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility, data recovery was conducted at 9SU6 (the Mill Creek site). Site 9SU6 was a multicomponent site spanning the Middle Archaic to Historic Creek periods. The project goals were to identify all significant archaeological resources in the APE, and to assess the effects of proposed wetland mitigation on these resources. During survey, Brockington and Associates archaeologists excavated approximately 860 shovel tests at 30 meter (100 ft) intervals in the project area; 178 shovel tests (excavated at 15 and 30 m intervals) were positive for surface and/or subsurface artifacts. We grouped the positive shovel tests into seven site locales (9SU138, 9SU139, 9SU140, 9SU141, 9SU142, 9SU143, 9SU144). Site boundaries were defined by short interval (15 m; 50 ft) shovel testing around positive test locations and the existing topography of the proposed US 19 Wetland Mitigation area. Two 1 by 2 meter (3.3 by 6.6 ft) test units and six 1 by 1 meter (3.3 by 3.3 ft) test units were used to evaluate four potentially eligible sites. Four sites (9SU139, 9SU142, 9SU143, 9SU144) are extensively disturbed or have been redeposited and are recommended not eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). No definitive NRHP eligibility recommendations can be proposed for the two sites (9SU138 and 9SU141); unknown portions of these sites extend outside the project boundary and could not be investigated. However, the portion of 9SU138 within the project boundary lacks potential to contribute significant information, based on lack of features and intact deposits, low density of diagnostic artifacts, and similarities to the nearby Mill Creek site (9SU6). The portion of 9SU141 within the project boundary is relatively shallow and apparently eroded, with mixed cultural components. Proposed development of the wetland mitigation area will not affect significant archaeological deposits at 9SU138 or 9SU141. No further archaeological investigations should be required in these site areas within the US 19 Wetland Mitigation area and archaeological clearance is recommended. Site 9SU140 also has an unknown portion that extends outside the project boundary, however, this site is recommended eligible for NRHP. This site is a single component (Middle Woodland) archaeological site with possible intact, relatively deep cultural deposits within the project boundary. Proposed development of the wetland mitigation area could affect significant archaeological deposits at this location. A site buffer has been established to restrict construction activities within the boundary of the site (see Appendix E). With the buffer and associated site protection measures implemented, the wetland mitigation project will have no effect on site 9SU 140.