Phase I Archaeological Survey: Eisenhower Parkway Extension Northern Avoidance and MLK Alternatives, Bibb County, Georgia

This report describes an intensive archaeological survey of two alternatives for the Eisenhower Parkway Extension; a proposed nine-mile long Northern Avoidance Alternative (NAA) and NAA-2 alternatives and a roughly six-mile long Martin Luther King East (MLK-E) alternative. Both alternatives start in the east at the intersection of Jeffersonville Road and East Ocmulgee Drive (i.e., near the SR 80 and SR 129 intersection). South of Walnut Creek the combined NAA and NAA-2 alternative splits from the MLK-E alternative. The NAA and NAA-2 alternatives follow Shurling Drive and splits into two at Upper River Road. From here to the Interstate 75 and Interstate 16 intersection, NAA goes north around the Masonic Home before crossing the Ocmulgee River, whereas NAA-2 takes a more direct southern route across the river. The combined NAA and NAA-2 alternative's western end is where Forsyth Avenue crosses Interstate 75. The MLK-E alternative follows Broad Street, turns south at Coliseum Drive, and terminates at the intersection of Broadway and the current Eisenhower Parkway. A total of four sites were discovered during the current survey; 9Bi 149 on the combined NAA and NAA-2 alternative, 9Bi 150 on the NAA alternative, 9Bi 151 on the NAA-2 alternative, and 9Bi 152 on MLK-E. Site 9Bi 149 is a Middle Woodland site on a ridge toe edge west of Walnut Creek. Site 9Bi150 is a multi-component Woodland and Early Mississippian site on a levee northeast of the Ocmulgee River. Site 9Bi 151 is a multi-component Late Archaic and Early Mississippian site on another levee northeast of the Ocmulgee River. Site 9Bi 152 represents a disturbed late nineteenth/early twentieth century occupation with a few prehistoric artifacts on Coliseum Drive. Four isolated finds were also found, all on the eastern side of the project area. Of these, three were on the combined NAA and NAA-2 alternative, whereas one was on the combined NAA, NAA-2, MLK-E alternative. Based on contextual integrity and research potential, only three sites are recommended as potentially eligible to the National Register of Historic Places. These sites are 9Bi 149, 9Bi 150, and 9Bi 151. It is recommended that if these sites fall within any of the alternative routes that are preferred at some future date, then test excavations would be necessary to fully explore their research potential. It is recommended that test excavations include both close interval shovel testing and controlled test unit excavations. Due to the deep deposits present at all three potentially eligible sites, trenching with the aid of a backhoe is recommended. It is recommended that the necessary safety protocols be followed during deep trenching.