Archeological Investigations of the Proposed Bouldercrest Overlook Development Site Dekalb County, Georgia

This study was conducted on undeveloped land adjacent to the Boulder Forest Phase 2 subdivision, in Dekalb County, Georgia. Initially, a Phase I archeological survey was conducted within two undeveloped parcels (Area 1 and Area 2) located north of the north boundary of the Boulder Forest Phase 2 subdivision. The westernmost parcel (Area 1) consists of approximately four acres and the east parcel (Area 2) is approximately one acre (Figure 1.1). Following the Phase I survey, R.S. Webb & Associates (RSWA) conducted additional archeological investigations within the boundaries of two previously recorded sites, 9DA20 and 9DA364 (Figure 1.2). The project areas are located southeast of 1-285 and west of Bouldercrest Road adjacent to the north boundary of Boulder Forest Phase 2 subdivision. The study sites lie within the U.S. Geologic Survey (USGS) Southeast Atlanta 7.5 minute topographic quadrangle (Figure 1.1). Both survey areas are bounded on the north by the north boundary of Land Lot 45 (15' District) (Figure 1.2). Area 1 is surrounded on the east, south, and west sides by the Boulder Forest Phase 2 subdivision. Area 2 is bounded on the west and the south by the Boulder Forest Phase 2 subdivision and on the east by residential development. The current scope-of-work is 1) a Phase I archeological resources survey of Areas 1 and 2, and 2) close interval shovel testing, careful surface examination, and test unit excavations at Sites 9DA20 and 9DA364. The project areas are located within the locally-designated Soapstone Ridge Historic District which is covered under the Dekalb County Board of Commissioners Soapstone Ridge preservation ordinance. Under this ordinance, Dekalb County requires that an archeological survey be conducted to determine the presence/ absence of archeological sites and to determine the nature of such sites. The ordinance is oriented toward the identification and protection of archeological sites associated with the quarrying of soapstone and the industry surrounding the use of soapstone approximately 3,000 to 5,000 years ago. Because Sites 9DA20 and 9DA364 were previously recommended potentially eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) (Price 2001), these detailed field investigations were conducted to evaluate the NRHP eligibility of the areas of the sites which are within the footprint of the proposed residential development tract.