Phase I and II Archaeological Investigations at the Morey Wetland Mitigation Tract Mitchell County, Georgia

From 9 April to 3 May and 5 to 9 November 2001, Brockington and Associates, Inc., conducted Phase I and II archaeological investigations in the Morey Wetland Mitigation Tract for Greenhorne and O'Mara, Inc., under contract with the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT). The project area, comprised of approximately 314 hectares (775 acres) of fallow agricultural fields, is located near the community of Lester in northeastern Mitchell County, Georgia. These investigations, consisting of Phase I archaeological survey and Phase II testing, were conducted in compliance with Section 404 of the 1977 Clean Water Act (33 V.S.C. Part 1344) and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (16 V.S.C. 470, as amended) and regulations implementing this law (36 CFR Part 800). Phase I investigations included background research and field survey. Background research identified no previously recorded archaeological sites within 0.8 kin (0.5 mi) of the project area. Field survey identified 14 archaeological sites (9ML 130 - 143) and 14 isolated finds of cultural material. The majority of these resources consist of surface lithic scatters, with 12 sites containing one or more subsurface artifacts (9ML130-140 and 9ML142), three sites yielding prehistoric ceramics (9ML131, 9ML134, and 9ML137), and one twentieth-century house site (9ML138). Following Phase I survey, two of the recorded sites (9ML 131 and 9ML 136) were considered potentially eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). After consultation with the GDOT archaeologist (Dr. Eric Duff), Phase II investigations were undertaken at these sites. Phase II testing of 9ML 131 and 9ML 136 yielded dense deposits of chert flakes down to approximately 40-50 cm (16-20 in) below the surface, then very light scatters of flakes to 100-140 cm (39-55 in). No subsurface cultural features were encountered at either site. Preservation of features such as postholes is generally poor in such excessively well drained soils because of leaching of organic materials. Features such as hearths or rock clusters would be more easily identifiable, but, again, preservation may be poor as these fine, sandy soils are predisposed to bioturbation / biogravity. Due to a lack of intact subsurface features and a general paucity of diagnostic artifacts, both sites were recommended not eligible for the NRHP. The proposed wetland mitigation project will not affect significant archaeological resources and the area is recommended for archaeological resources clearance.