Archaeological Resources Survey of the Proposed Black Creek Wetland Mitigation Bank, Taylor County, Georgia

Under project Work Order 170 with Greenhorne & O'Mara (contracting with the Georgia Department of Transportation [GDOT]), Brockington and Associates, Inc., performed an intensive archaeological resources survey (Phase I) within a proposed 700-acre wetland mitigation site in southwest Georgia. Background research, fieldwork (archaeological resources survey and site evaluation), laboratory analysis, and report production were completed in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and with regulations implementing this legislation (36 CFR Part 800: Protection of Historic Properties). Our field investigations were conducted between 24 September and 12 October 2001. The project area includes approximately 283.5 hectares (700 ac) in Taylor County, Georgia, south of the town of Howard. Black Creek and several smaller drainages and tributaries flow through the project area. The western boundary of the project area abuts Talbot County. A hunt club/emu ranch is located to the east of the project area. Background research focused on documenting previously recorded significant or potentially significant cultural resources (i.e., archaeological resources considered potentially eligible, eligible, or listed on the National Register of Historic Places [NRHP]). Field investigation focused on identifying and evaluating all archaeological resources within the project area. We recorded and evaluated four archaeological sites and nine isolated finds during our field investigation. Three sites (9TR120, 9TR121, 9TR123) contained buried artifacts. The remaining site is a surface scatters of artifacts found in a firebreak (9TR122). We excavated one 50 by 50 cm (20 by 20 in) test unit at a destroyed house site (9TR121), but found no evidence that intact features are present. Shovel testing across site 9TRI20 revealed deep sandy deposits, but artifact depth is likely a result of flakes percolating down over time. We discovered no evidence of features in our shovel testing of the area. Based on the results of our shovel testing and test excavations, we recommend that all four sites should be considered ineligible for the NRHP based on the low probability of intact subsurface features, the paucity of diagnostic artifacts, and the general lack of historical significance. No additional archaeological investigations should be required and archaeological resources clearance is recommended.