Preliminary Report of the Archaeology Survey of the Carey Station Tract, Greene County, Georgia

Southeastern Archeological Services, Inc. (SAS) conducted an intensive archeological survey of a 449-acre tract of land known as the Carey Station Tract in February and March of 2004. The survey was conducted at the request of Reynolds Plantation for future planning. It must be noted that the land was not owned by Reynolds Plantation at the time of the survey. Reynolds' development plans for the tract changed shortly after initiation of fieldwork but the survey work was allowed to continue. The following preliminary report is not intended to be a compliance report. If Reynolds Plantation does acquire the property at a future time, a comprehensive report may be prepared. The survey area is located in western Greene County Georgia, on an upland divide that separates the Oconee River from Richland Creek. The tract consists primarily of ridges drained by minor tributaries of the Oconee River. The tract has most recently been utilized as timber lands and most of the land shows the effects of clear cutting. The boundaries of the project area have been severely impacted by road widening and utility line excavation and grading. The survey resulted in the discovery of 22 new archeological sites and four isolates or low density artifact scatters. One previously recorded site was revisited in the project area. The revisited site, 9GE998, is located at the edge of the study area and was originally recorded by during the Wallace Mitigation upland survey (Elliott and Jefferies 1978). With the inclusion of previously recorded sites, the boundary of the project area includes 23 recorded archeological sites. An additional 10 cultural resources were recorded as field sites but not assigned state site numbers. This group includes historic field clearing rock pile areas, mid twentieth century portable saw mill locations, and stills (Figure 1 and Table 1). The sites located within the project area provide information relating to the prehistoric and historic periods. Like previously surveyed tracts in the greater Reynold's area, the sites include prehistoric lithic scatters, quartz quarry sites, Archaic and Mississippian habitation sites, elements of antebellum plantations, and twentieth century tenant houses. Final eligibility status with respect to the National Register of Historic Places was not established for all sites. While a number could be recommended ineligible for nomination, several sites must be recommended potentially eligible until additional testing is conducted. Because of limitations of field time, no site testing was conducted as part of the current project. Sites recommended as eligible retain substantial evidence of further research potential, and thus meet National Register criterion D. Table 1 lists all sites within the project area and includes brief site type and component information and National Register recommendations. The locations of the potentially eligible sites are shown in Figure 2. Based on preliminary assessments, a total of 8 sites are recommended potentially eligible to the National Register of Historic Places. Based on past procedure at Reynolds, sites which cannot be avoided may be tested to determine eligibility. The sites are briefly described as follows. 9GE2135 represents the remains of an antebellum/postbellum plantation associated with James Nelson Armor. The foundation of the plantation house was recently destroyed during pipeline construction. The remainder of the site area may retain subsoil-intruding features and some above ground foundations. The site extends across Carey Station Road which is outside the current project area and was not surveyed. This historically important site retains significant research potential. 9GE2140 consists primarily of a prehistoric lithic scatter dating to the Middle Archaic period. Limited testing should provide information necessary to access the site's research potential. 9GE2142 represents a prehistoric pottery scatter and possible farmstead site dating to the Lamar period. Limited testing should determine if preserved subsoil-intruding features exist on the site. 9GE2144 produced both prehistoric pottery and chipped stone. The pottery represents evidence of a Lamar period farmstead. The chipped stone is associated with an Archaic occupation. Limited testing would be necessary to fully assess the site's significance. 9GE2145 is a prehistoric quartz quarry which requires limited testing to adequately assess the site's research potential. 9GE2149 is a large prehistoric quartz quarry site and lithic workshop area. While the site is quite large, the best preserved portions of the site are substantially smaller. Test pits in those areas should provide data that will allow adequate assessment of the site. 9GE2152 is a relatively small prehistoric lithic scatter which appears to date to the Late Archaic period. Limited testing is needed to adequately assess the site. 9GE2156 is a small prehistoric extraction site (diabase), possibly a quarry. Confirmed diabase quarry sites are rare in the area and it should receive additional testing for adequate assessment. The remainder of the sites are recommended ineligible based on survey data which included intensive shovel testing. Each of the sites may potentially be affected to some degree by future development. In the event that Reynolds Plantation does acquire and develop the property, it is expected that cultural resources will be considered in the planning process as has been the case with prior development conducted during the past years by that company.