Archeological Survey of the Proposed Bridge Replacement at SR 109 over Elkins Creek, Pike County, Georgia

The survey described here was designed to locate and evaluate archeological sites in the area of a Pike County bridge replacement project proposed by the Georgia Department of Transportation. The survey located portions of three prehistoric archeological sites within the project corridor, sites 9PK53, 9PK54, and 9PK55. None of these sites' segments within the area of potential effect (APE) would contribute to them being eligible to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). All three produced only sparse, non-diagnostic artifacts. Since we examined only the portions of the sites within the APE we cannot assess the sites on whole, and thus recommend that the NRHP eligibility of each is unknown. Because the portions within the APE do not contribute to eligibility, we recommend that no significant archeological resources are threatened by replacement of the SR 109 bridge over Elkins Creek. Site 9PK53 may also represent the unmarked remnant of Mount Olive cemetery, known to exist north of SR 109. Archival and field research suggest that unmarked graves may exist within the existing SR 109 right-of-way near site 9PK53, on either side of the road. Construction plans were altered by the project engineer to eliminate all construction within the boundaries of the cemetery north of SR 109 and the possible remnant south of SR 109. Additional steps to ensure avoidance of the area are suggested here, including the use of orange safety fencing during project implementation. We recommend that if these steps are taken, any unmarked graves in the cemetery and its possible remnant would remain undisturbed by the proposed bridge replacement project.