Phase I Archaeological Resources Survey for the Proposed Flint River, Smithville, Americus Transmission Line, Lee and Sumpter Counties, Georgia

An intensive archaeological resources survey was carried out for the Georgia Transmission Corporation's proposed Flint River, Smithville, Americus (FSA) Transmission Line in Lee and Sumter counties, Georgia. The survey encompassed approximately 48.27 km (30 miles) of existing transmission line corridor, which will be upgraded to higher capacity. About 17.9 km (11 miles) have already been surveyed as part of Georgia Department of Transportation US Highway 19 road improvements projects; 30.5 km (19 miles) required survey. The existing transmission line corridor is 22.9 m (75 feet) wide and will not be expanded for the upgrade. The corridor runs basically north and south from Century Station just south of Leesburg, north to Americus Station, in Americus, Georgia. The corridor meanders along US Highway 19 and travels across rolling hills, drainages, creeks, wetlands, pecan groves, pastures, woodlands, and farmland. Previously identified historic or prehistoric cultural resources were located within the project area boundaries through background research at the Georgia State Historic Preservation Division and the State Site Files Database maintained by the Department of Anthropology, University of Georgia. Forty-one (41) previously recorded archaeological resources were identified within the area of direct or indirect effect of the proposed FSA Transmission Line Corridor. Twenty-two sites in Sumter County and 19 sites in Lee County are within 1 mile of the transmission line corridor. Of these 41 sites, fourteen (14) are in or near to the project corridor. One of these 14 sites was recommended potentially eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). This site (9LE49) is a historic and prehistoric artifact scatter with a possible historic cistern. Previously recorded sites were revisited to examine their extent and condition within the proposed FSA Transmission Line Corridor. Three sites were not relocated (9LE16, 9LE17, 9SU120). Eleven sites (9LE18, 9LE19, 9LE20, 9LE21, 9LE22, 9LE48, 9LE49, 9SU23, 9SU25, 9SU121, 9SU122) were relocated and evaluated within the project corridor. Results of our revisits to the previously recorded sites support the original NRHP recommendations. Ten of the eleven sites were recommended ineligible for the NRHP. Due to our inability to investigate the portions of site 9LE49 located outside the FSA Transmission Line Corridor, our NRHP recommendation for this site is revised to unknown. Nine new sites (9SU145, 9SU146, 9SU147, 9SU148, 9SU149, 9SU150, 9SU151, 9SU152, 9SU 153) were located and documented. Of these nine sites, eight are recommended unknown for their NRHP eligibility, due to their lack of site boundaries. One (1) new site (9SU153) is recommended ineligible for the NRHP, due to the destruction of its land form. Five isolated finds (A-1, A-2, E-2, E-3, E-5) were located and documented. In general isolated finds are not considered to be significant, therefore the five isolated finds are recommended ineligible for NRHP. In addition, a Confederate Grave was located and documented on the edge of the FSA Transmission Line Corridor. Varying degrees of disturbance have occurred on sites crossed by the existing FSA Transmission Line Corridor. Portions of these sites within the project corridor have been graded, plowed, excavated, and eroded. Based on results of our archaeological investigations, these site areas no longer retain potential to contribute significant information. Proposed activities associated with transmission line upgrades will not affect significant archaeological resources, and we recommend clearance to conduct these upgrades. We also recommend that the grave of Confederate soldier Andrew J. Bass be avoided during all construction work in the FSA Transmission Line Corridor.