Phase II Testing of 9CN113, 9CN116, and 9CN119 for the Shoal Creek LAS Project, Clayton County, Georgia

TRC Garrow Associates, Inc., was contracted by CH2M HILL to conduct Phase II archaeological testing of three sites in Clayton County, Georgia: 9CN113, 9CN116, and 9CN119. These sites are located on a 300-acre tract between Panhandle Road and the Flint River, slated for the Shoal Creek LAS project. Fieldwork was carried out from September 21 through October 5, 2000. Sites 9CN113, 9CNI16 and 9CNI19 are recommended as ineligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP); no further work is necessary at these locations. Site 9CN113 is a large multicomponent prehistoric site situated on an eolian sand dune. Ten 1-x1 -m test units were excavated at the site. The main component appears to be Middle Archaic, as evidenced by Morrow Mountain hafted bifaces. Evidence of a possible Late Archaic component was obtained from a rock concentration (Feature 1), which was radiocarbon dated at 3360 ± 130 B.P. Feature 1 was a large, dispersed rock cluster, spanning three test units (Test Units 8-10) near the center of the site. The majority of the botanical remains were identified as hickory and walnut. No culturally diagnostic artifacts were recovered from Feature 1. A minor Woodland component was represented by three sand-tempered sherds. Since 9CN113 is situated on an eolian sand dune and has been affected by bioturbation, TRC recommends it as ineligible for the NRHP. Site 9CN116 is a historic site that includes a foundation of stone piers found on a low mound of earth, timber, and debris that represents the farmhouse. In addition, two wells and an outbuilding with a brick and stone foundation were identified. The site also includes a small and insignificant prehistoric component. The presence of intact timbers with embedded cut nails in apparent association with the collapsed house remains suggested a possible early- to mid-nineteenth century date for the homestead. TRC placed four 1-x-1-m test units, one directly on the house mound and three in other areas of the site, but failed to locate subsurface features or intact midden deposits. Furthermore, all artifacts recovered date to the late nineteenth through mid-twentieth century, and the A horizon appeared to have been truncated by bulldozing or grading in several areas of the site. Based on these results, 9CNI16 has no further research potential and TRC recommends it as ineligible for the NRHP. Site 9CNI19 is a large prehistoric site located on an eolian sand dune immediately adjacent to the Flint River floodplain. Eight test units were excavated at 9CNI19. TRC's excavations revealed no subsurface features or evidence of a midden, and, although artifacts were found as deep as 120 cm bs in one of the units, due to bioturbation, artifacts were concentrated mainly in the upper 40 cm of soil. It is TRC's opinion that 9CN119 has no further research potential, and we recommend it as not eligible for the NRHP.