Phase I Archaeological Survey of the Proposed SR 324 Widening Project Area, Gwinnett County, Georgia

On May 25th and 26th, 2005, Edwards-Pitman Environmental, Inc. (EPEI) conducted a Phase I archaeological survey for the proposed widening of SR 324 near the town of Hog Mountain, Georgia. The proposed project is as a roadway and bridge widening and reconstruction, which will provide safety and operational improvements along SR 324 in Gwinnett County. The project would extend east from the intersection with SR 20 to SR 124 for a distance of approximately 3.3 miles; however, a 4,000 foot long section near the crossing of 1-85 was not included in the current project. A review of the state site files at the University of Georgia in Athens showed that no previously identified archaeological sites had been reported in the proposed project location. A total of five archaeological sites, 9GW55, 9GW397, 9GW455, 9GW534, and 9GW53, have been previously identified within a one-mile radius of the current project area. A historic marker for the War of 1812-era Fort Daniel is located in a drainage approximately 500 ft to the southwest of the current project corridor. Because no archaeological work has been undertaken at Fort Daniel, there was no record of the site in the state archaeological site files. Indications are, however, that remains of the fort would be located approximately 1,200 ft southwest of the corridor, on a nearby ridge top. No archaeological sites or isolated finds were identified during the current survey. Based on the results of the survey, EPEI recommends that no further archaeological work be undertaken in the proposed project area.