Phase I Archaeological Resources Survey and Phase II Archaeological Testing for the Proposed Relocation of US 411 from SR 20/US to I-75, Bartow County, Georgia

Brockington and Associates, Inc. conducted archaeological resources investigations for the proposed relocation of US 411 from SR 20/US 411 to 1-75 in Bartow County, Georgia, between August and December 2004. These investigations included archaeological survey (Phase I), as well as testing (Phase II) of selected sites. The project tract, as detailed on the concept plans, encompasses a variety of corridors connecting the current US 41/US 411 interchange to several locations along 1-75. The total distance of all the alternatives combined is approximately 26 miles. These investigations were carried out under a subcontract with Jordan, Jones & Goulding, Inc., working under a Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) contract. The project was conducted in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, and meeting FHWA and GDOT standards and guidelines. Project goals consisted of identifying archaeological resources within the project corridor and evaluating the significance of these resources. Archaeological resources investigations were typically limited to the boundaries of the proposed project corridor. In cases where sites extended beyond the corridor, the sites were investigated and mapped for approximately 75 meters (250 feet) when feasible. However, because of the size of some sites, complete archaeological site boundaries could not always be established. Because these site areas could not be fully investigated, National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) eligibility recommendations are proposed based on the portion of the site identified. A total of 25 archaeological resources were located, consisting of three previously recorded sites, 19 newly identified sites, and three isolated finds. The three previously recorded archaeological sites (9BR914, 9BR915, and 9BR916) were previously recommended ineligible for nomination to the NRHP, and our findings concurred with the original. Of the 19 newly identified sites, 9BR1029, 9BR1032, 9BR1040, 9BR1041, and 9BR1045 consist of house remains or artifact scatters associated with historic structures; sites 9BR1034 and 9BR1035 are the remains of mining activity; sites 9BR1030, 9BR1039, 9BR1042, 9BR1043, 9BR1044, 9BR1046, and 9BR1047 are possible remnant Civil War trenches and defensive works; sites 9BR1031, 9BR1033, 9BR1037,and 9BR1038 are prehistoric lithic scatters; and 9BR1036 is a multicomponent site consisting of a prehistoric lithic scatter and the remnants of a historic period still. The majority of the Civil War trenches (9BR1030, 9BR1039, 9BR1043, 9BR1044, and 9BR1046) are recommended eligible for nomination to the NRHP as both archaeological and historic resources. This is based on their significance to local and national history (Criterion A), and their archaeological research potential (Criterion D). One trench site (9BR1030) is also recommended NRHP eligible as an example of typical construction techniques (Criterion C). There is only moderate to low potential for these trenches to retain archaeological data because of the activity of looters, the short occupation of the trenches, and the typical dearth of archaeological features found at these types of sites. Sites 9BR1042 and 9BR1047 are recommended ineligible for the NRHP due both to questionable historical attribution and a loss of integrity resulting from later disturbance. The Guyton Ore Bank (Site 9BR1034) is recommended as NRHP eligible as a historic structural resource under Criterion A for its association with a significant period in local and regional history, and under Criterion B for its association with Governor Joseph E. Brown. The railroad berms at the site are also recommended eligible under Criterion C (Structural or Engineering) because they retain structural integrity and are representative of period engineering. Because the archaeological research potential is considered to be low, Criterion D does not contribute to the site's eligibility. The other mine site (9BR1035) possesses little potential for further archaeological research and a loss of historical association because of the lack of subsurface artifacts and features, no structural remains other than somewhat recent tailings piles, and the eradication of the earlier mine features by later mining activities. Site 9BR1035 is recommended NRHP ineligible for both history and archaeology. Site 9BR1033 (a large lithic scatter west of Pettit Creek) is the only prehistoric site recommended eligible for nomination to the NRHP. This site has a moderate to high artifact density and one probable subsurface feature was encountered. It is likely to contain additional intact subsurface features. It is recommended eligible for the NRHP for its archaeological research potential (Criterion D). All of the other prehistoric sites (9BR1031, 9BR1037, 9BR1038) and the multicomponent site (9BR1036) are recommended NRHP ineligible due to loss of integrity through disturbance, poor artifact content, and lack of research potential. None of the historic period house sites or artifact scatters (9BR1029, 9BR1032, 9BR1040, 9BR1041, and 9BR1045) are recommended eligible for nomination to the NRHP. A loss of integrity due to modern disturbance, poor artifact content, and lack of research potential has made each of them unlikely to be of further interest. Likewise, none of the three isolated finds (each consisting of a single artifact) is recommended NRHP eligible. Much of the western portion of the project area is situated within the National Park Service's designated study boundaries for the Cassville Battlefield (see Jaeger 2000). Although this report focuses on the archaeological components within the project tract, a key element of the NRHP eligibility recommendations for several sites is based on how they are associated with the battlefield. Though we do not present a full consideration of the eligibility of all of its contributing elements (including those outside the project area), we have identified a series of guidelines to determine if each individual archaeological site identified here does contribute to the NRHP eligibility of the battlefield. As a consequence, several sites recommended eligible here (9BR1043, 9BR1044) were evaluated toward identifying visual or other impacts which could disrupt their association with the Cassville Battlefield. It must be reiterated however, it is well beyond the scope of this project to identify the boundaries or eligibility of the Cassville Battlefield, and neither was attempted. Similarly, the eastern portions of the project area fall within the general area known as the Cartersville Geological District (the term "district" here does not imply an identified historical district). It is generally assumed that some portions of the Cartersville Geological District could be considered eligible as an association of historic mining resources, although it has not been nominated to the NRHP as a historic district. The two mining sites (9BR 1034 and 9BR 1035) within the project area have been evaluated as potentially contributing resources to such a possible historic district and are evaluated within that context, but identification of such a resource was also well beyond the scope of this project and was not attempted.