Archaeological Assessment of Georgia Dept. Of Transportation Project Lab-4-416-3(057), Cherokee County

In compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and amendments thereto. Georgia Department of Transportation project LAB-4-416-3{OS7J in Cherokee County has been surveyed with respect to archaeological resources, especially those on or eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). The purpose of the survey was to locate, identify and evaluate the significance of any archaeological resources within the project corridor.

This transportation project consists of the replacement of approaches to and the bridge over Noonday Creek on County Road 416, just west of Woodstock, Georgia. All construction will be. accomplished approximately 50 feet north of the existing facility. Noonday Creek at this location flows between two moderately steep rdiges with sharp slopes. The floodplain here is no wider than 30 feet and has been significantly disturbed by road cuts both east and west of the creek. In addition a logging road has been cut across the northern ridgetop exposing and disturbing a rather extensive area.

The archaeological survey was conducted in accordance with "GOOT Archaeological Survey Guidelines~' developed by the GOOT Staff Archaeologists and agreed upon by the Federal Highway Administration, State Historic Preservation Officer and State Archaeologist. These guidelines outline general survey boundaries and methodological approaches to archaeological surveys of transportation projects, and are followed during the initial identification of archaeological resources. Specifically the survey entailed an examination of the archaeological site files maintained by the Department of Anthropology, Georgia State University, all pertinent site reports, maps and photography, and a field survey consisting of a surface inspection of the entire area to be affected by the project complemented by the placement of several non-random sub-surface tests.