Phase I and II Archaeological Investigations Within the Benjamin Van Clark Neighborhood for the Hope VI Project in Savannah, Georgia

In February 2005, TRC conducted Phase I archaeological investigations on selected parcels within the Benjamin Van Clark Park neighborhood of Savannah, Georgia. The lots are scheduled to be developed as single-family homes and rental units. That development is associated with the Department of Housing and Urban Development's HOPE VI program, and the project is being managed by the Housing Authority of Savannah (HAS).Four areas within the study area were designated archaeological sites and assigned official state numbers (9CH1066-9CH1069) because they likely contained intact cultural deposits associated with occupations that occurred during the second half of the nineteenth century and late nineteenth/early twentieth century. Material was discovered in several other places, but the objects are primarily associated with the modem era and/or represent materials disturbed by activities associated with twentieth-century urbanization. These areas were not assigned official state site numbers. The results of Phase I investigations indicated that a midden and/or features possibly existed at 9CH1066 and 9CH1067, and that they could date to the second half of the nineteenth century. On the approval of the HAS, a plan to conduct 50 x 50-cm test units and additional shovel tests at those locations was devised and implemented on March 14 and 15, 2005. At the conclusion of those investigations (Phase II), it was confirmed that intact cultural features, and possibly midden remnants dating to the nineteenth century, were present at both locations. Since it is likely that both sites can yield important archaeological information concerning historical developments in post-bellum Savannah, they are recommended eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) under Criterion D. If construction on these properties cannot be avoided, it is our opinion that data recovery investigations should be required as part of the mitigation process. Sites 9CH1068 and 9CH1069 contain buried archaeological materials that date from the nineteenth through early twentieth century. Since they occur on small, isolated parcels only one shovel test was conducted at each location. Standing structures are present on both properties, and they are scheduled to be refurbished, rather than razed. According to an agreement between the HAS and the Georgia State Historic Preservation Office (GASHPO), sites that occur on properties in this category do not require additional archaeological investigations once they have been recorded. Therefore, these sites were not included in the Phase II study. Since the NRHP eligibility status of 9CH1068 and 9CH1068 remains undetermined, they are recommended potentially eligible for the NRHP.