Archaeological Resources Survey of the Abercorn Street (SR 204) Widening Corridor, Chatham County, Georgia

From 23 to 24 July 2001, Brockington and Associates, Inc., conducted an intensive archaeological survey of the Abercorn Street (SR 204) widening corridor in Chatham County, Georgia (Project NHS-002-00 [922], P.I. No. 0002922, HP021219-002), through Hussey, Gay, Bell, and DeYoung Environmental, Inc., for the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT). The project was conducted in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, and 36 CFR Part 800, by personnel qualified under 36 CFR Part 61. A historic resources survey was completed concurrently with the archaeology survey. The results of the historic resources survey are provided in a separate report (Beaty and Butler 2001). The Abercorn Street (SR 204 ) project corridor is located in Savannah, Georgia, 0.8 km (0.5 mi) southwest of Hunter Army Airfield (Figure 1). The survey corridor begins at Rio Road and extends west 3.3 km (2.1 mi) to Deerfield Road. It should also be noted that a portion of the present corridor was previously surveyed in 1997 by Brockington and Associates, Inc., for the proposed Middleground Road widening project (Jordan 1997). The previously surveyed area begins 250 meters (820 ft) west of Mohawk Street and extends west 1.3 km (0.85 mi). The previously surveyed section terminates between Middleground Road and Rio Road. For this project the Area of Potential Effect (APE) includes both existing and required right-of-ways. The existing right-of-way extends approximately 3.6 meters (12 ft) from the edge of existing pavement on both sides of Abercorn Street. The required right-of-way will extend 7 meters (24 ft) from the edge of existing pavement on both sides of the road. The construction zone and area of new pavement will extend 3.3 meters (11 ft) from the edge of existing pavement on both sides of the road. During field survey the potential for visual effects from construction were considered. Background research revealed four previously recorded archaeological sites within 0.8 km (0.5 mi) of the project corridor. These sites are 9CH717, 9CH718, 9CH809, and 9CH869. Sites 9CH717 and 9CH718 were recommended eligible for the NRHP; however, they are located well beyond the APE for this project. Site 9CH809 was recommended not eligible for the NRHP and is located beyond the project APE. Although 9CH869 is located only 11 meters (36 ft) from the edge of existing pavement of Abercorn Street and 4 meters (13 ft) beyond the project required right-of-way, it is heavily disturbed and was recommended not eligible for the NRHP. In addition, Brockington and Associates, Inc., has determined that the man-made earthen berm located 1 meter (3 ft) west of 9CH869 is modem. Background research and construction material found within the berm during past archaeological investigations have ruled out the possibility that it is a Civil War or Revolutionary War earthwork. No previously unrecorded archaeological sites were found during the present survey. No additional work is recommended at site 9CH869 or the earthen berm. Cultural resource clearance is recommended for the Abercorn Street widening corridor.