Intensive Archaeological Field Survey of the Proposed Big Horse Creek Bridge Replacement, Telfair County, Georgia

A two-person crew of New South Associates, Inc. conducted a survey of the Horse Creek Bridge replacement on June 5, 2002. The bridge is located on SR 117 (Figure 1), approximately halfway between Jacksonville and Lumber City (i.e., roughly 14 kilometers, or 8.6 miles, from each town), in southern Telfair County, Georgia. The survey involved surface inspections and shovel test excavations of both sides of the bridge, with the intent of locating archaeological artifacts and features. The proposed bridge alignment is slightly south of the current bridge (Figure 2). According to the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) plan of the proposed bridge replacement, the proposed right-of-way would be straighter than the current one that has a slight curve. The Hall Cemetery occurs approximately 100 meters (330 feet) south of the current right-of-way, southwest of the current bridge, and would not be effected by the proposed right-of-way. The archaeological survey covered an area of approximately 80 meters (264 feet) on both sides of the current right-of-way and 150 meters (495 feet) southwest of the bridge and 225 meters (743 feet) to the northeast. Previously recorded prehistoric sites on both sides of the creek suggest that this is a high probability area for locating artifacts. The possible southwestward extension of a previously recorded site, 9Tf20, has been located southeast of the current bridge. The proposed bridge replacement would cover the southwestern portion of the site. A previously recorded site relocated northwest of the bridge, 9Tfl, would not be effected by the proposed bridge construction and the southward shift of the associated right-of-way. Shovel test results from the extension of 9Tf20 suggest that buried lithic-bearing deposits from this site are too small and ephemeral to contribute much information to archaeologists seeking a better understanding of regional prehistory. While National Register of Historic Places eligibility for the site as a whole remains unknown, no further work is recommended on this portion of the site. Site 9Tf1 with its ceramics was not sufficiently evaluated during the current project because of its location outside the Area of Potential Effect (APE) to determine whether or not it exhibits sufficient research potential to be considered eligible for the National Register. Only 9Tf20, as demarcated during this survey, is directly threatened by the proposed bridge replacement activities across Big Horse Creek. Since it is recommended that the research potential of 9Tf20 within the proposed right-of-way is minimal, it is recommended that no further archaeological work need be conducted at the site before it is impacted. The following report details the natural and cultural setting of the sites and outlines the survey methods and results. Recommendations conclude the report.