Archaeological Survey and Testing on US 441, Morgan and Oconee Counties, Georgia

Under a subcontract with Greenhorne & O' Mara (contracting with the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), Brockington and Associates, Inc., conducted Phase I and II archaeological investigations within proposed improvement corridors for US 441 in Morgan and Oconee Counties, Georgia (Projects EDS-441 [42][43]). Background research, fieldwork, 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). Field investigations were conducted in March 2002. The current project includes archaeological testing of three previously recorded sites (9MG8, 9MG43 5, and 9MG445) to provide definitive National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) eligibility recommendations for use in potential project design considerations. The project also includes archaeological survey of an estimated 3.1 km (1.9 mi) alignment shift to avoid a previously recorded site (90C295) determined eligible for the NRHP. The alignment shift corridor runs north/south, crossing Astondale Road and extending 1.6 km (0.98 mi) both north and south of Astondale Road. The new corridor shifts 30 meters (99 ft) west of the original corridor and is 75 meters (248 ft) wide. The archaeological survey located no archaeological resources and the alignment shift effectively avoids site 90C295. Although the new alignment is near the site boundary (within 30 meters), no artifacts, midden, or intact cultural deposits were encountered at the surface or subsurface during the current investigations. Site 9MG8 was originally recommended potentially eligible to the NRHP based on the presence of small Archaic and Lamar phase artifact assemblages (O' Steen 2001). However, results of our archaeological testing at site 9MG8 indicate that this site contains no significant cultural deposits. A small assemblage of both Archaic and Lamar phase artifacts is present at the site. We recovered two diagnostic Archaic artifacts and three diagnostic Lamar artifacts. Subsurface investigation consisted of 40 shovel tests (spaced at 15 meter intervals) and two 2 by 2 meter test units that revealed eroded soils consisting of orange/red sandy clay plowzone underlain by rocky red clay subsoil. Cultural features were not encountered during testing and no intact cultural stratigraphy or layering of artifacts is present. The small quantity of diagnostic artifacts, the absence of preserved subsurface features, and the lack of preserved stratigraphy contribute to a recommendation of NRHP ineligibility for site 9MG8. Brockington and Associates, Inc., recommends no additional investigations and archaeological clearance at this location. Results of archaeological testing at site 9MG435 indicate that this site also contains no significant cultural deposits. The 2001 survey concluded that the site had both twentieth-century and Lamar phase components (O'Steen 2001). The site was recommended potentially eligible for the NRHP due to the possible presence of cultural features. Current investigations consisted of26 shovel tests and two 2 by 2 meter test units. Although these investigations confirmed the presence of a small Lamar assemblage (5 artifacts), nondiagnostic lithic debris, and a small scatter of bottle glass, no clear layering of cultural components was present. Soils are relatively shallow consisting of 30 cm (12 in) of disturbed orange sandy clay underlain by red clay. Artifacts were restricted to the 20 cm (8 in) plowzone present at the site. The area has been moderately disturbed by terracing, and modem materials (nails and bottle glass) were present at the base of each test unit. No cultural features were encountered. The small quantity of diagnostic artifacts, the absence of preserved subsurface features, and the presence of disturbed deposits contributes to a recommendation of NRHP ineligibility for site 9MG435. Brockington and Associates, Inc., recommends no additional investigations and archaeological clearance at this location. Results of previous archaeological survey (O'Steen 2001) indicated that site 9MG445 had possible Archaic and Mississippian cultural affiliations. The site and was recommended potentially eligible for the NRHP based on the presence of sub-plowzone cultural deposits. However, during the current investigations less than 15 cm (6 in) of plowzone was present and no diagnostic artifacts were recovered. The limited artifact assemblage (N=34) consists primarily of lithic debris. Subsurface excavations consisted of 43 shovel tests (spaced at 15 meter intervals), one 2 by 2 meter test unit, and one 1 by 2 meter test unit. The 2 by 2 meter test unit was completely devoid of cultural materials. Soils consisted of 30 cm (12 in) of yellow-brown silty loam/clay underlain by clay subsoil. The site is currently used as a cow pasture and according to the landowner has not been plowed for over 30 years. No intact stratigraphy or cultural features were encountered indicating that site 9MG445 lacks the potential to contribute significantly to our knowledge of prehistory. Site 9MG445 is also recommended ineligible for the NRHP. Archaeological clearance is recommended.