Phase I Archaeological Survey of the Proposed State Road 96 Improvements, Peach and Houston Counties, Georgia

From 7 to 11 August 2006, Brockington and Associates, Inc., conducted Phase I archaeological survey along State Road 96, Peach and Houston Counties, GA, in advance of proposed road improvements. The archaeological survey was conducted for the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) under a subcontract with PBS&J to determine the project's effect on archaeological resources. The proposed improvements would widen SR 96 from a two-lane facility to a four-lane, divided facility from approximately 0.4 miles east of the I-75/SR96 interchange to just east of US 129/SR247. The project was conducted in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966, as amended. Background research identified three previously recorded archaeological sites within the project corridor's existing right-of-way (ROW): 9HT24, 9HT164, 9HT165. Site 9HT24 is a chert outcropping recorded in 1986 by Southeastern Archaeological Services. According to the site form, there were few artifacts present and the site had been heavily disturbed by bulldozing. The site was recommended ineligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) and no further work was recommended. In 1986, 9HT24 was adjacent to a nursery building, which is now a bait shop. The parking lot has been expanded, and appears to cover the area where 9HT24 was located. Two shovel tests placed adjacent to the parking lot consisted of red clay subsoil at the surface; both were negative. We concur with the ineligible recommendation made in 1986. Site 9HT 164 is a low-density lithic scatter recorded on the surface of a plowed field in 2000 by GDOT archaeologist Erica Jeter. The site was identified between the existing ROW and the required ROW. One negative shovel test was excavated in 2000. No NRHP recommendation was made. During the current survey, four shovel tests were excavated at 15 meters intervals across the site's plotted location. All of the shovel tests were negative. Shovel tests consisted of 0 to 2 or 10 cm of brown sandy loam overlying yellowish red clay subsoil. No artifacts were recovered and there is very little topsoil present indicating that 9HT 164 is unlikely to add significant information to the archaeological record. This site is recommended ineligible for the NRHP. Site 9HT165 is also a low-density surface scatter recorded on the surface of a plowed field in 2000 by GDOT. One negative shovel test was excavated. No NRHP recommendation was made In 2000, the field was plowed and surface visibility was one hundred percent. Since that time, the field has been allowed to go fallow and surface visibility is zero. During the current survey, shovel tests were excavated at 15 meter intervals in the site area. Six shovel tests were excavated in the site's plotted location. The shovel tests ranged from 4 to 15 cm in depth and consisted of brown sandy loam overlying yellowish-red clay subsoil. No positive shovel tests were excavated. No artifacts were recovered and there is very little topsoil present indicating that 9HT 165 is unlikely to add significant information to the archaeological record. This site is recommended ineligible for the NRHP. Archaeological survey consisted of the excavation of screened shovel tests at 30 meter (100 ft) intervals within the project corridor. Additionally, disturbed or sloped areas were visually inspected. Approximately 80 percent of the project tract has been disturbed by previous road construction, residential and commercial development, and underground sewage, telephone, and cable lines. Red clay subsoil was visible on the surface in much of the corridor. Where topsoil was present, shovel tests varied in depth from 5 to 25 cmbs. Soils consisted of 0 to 5 or 25 cm of brown sandy loam overlying red clay or yellowish red clay subsoil. No positive shovel tests were excavated and no previously unrecorded archaeological sites were identified. Archaeological survey of the proposed SR 96 improvement corridor identified no previously unrecorded sites. Furthermore, the project corridor has been heavily disturbed by commercial and residential development, and construction of underground sewage, cable, and telephone lines. Background research identified three previously recorded sites in the project corridor: 9HT24, 9HT164, and 9HT165. Site 9HT24 was recorded in 1986, and was recommended ineligible for the NRHP. We concur with this recommendation. Sites 9HT164 and 165 are both surface lithic scatters recorded by GDOT in 2000. Short interval shovel testing was conducted at both sites. No positive shovel tests were excavated. Additionally, there is very little topsoil present indicating that sites 9HT164 and 164 are unlikely to add significant information to the archaeological record. Both sites are recommended ineligible for the NRHP. Archaeological resources clearance is recommended.