Phase I Archaeological Survey of Two Interchanges on Interstate 75, GA 7 and GA 122, Lowndes County, Georgia

The Georgia Department of Transportation proposes to construct improvements on two interchanges on Interstate 75 in Lowndes County, Georgia. This will entail rerouting the on and off ramps, as well as replacing the bridges, widening the approach roads, and upgrading the intersections. Since a portion of this work requires expanding beyond the current right of way, and since at least some of these areas appear to have the possibility of reasonably undisturbed environments, a cultural resources survey was required. This report documents the design and results of this archaeological survey. It is designed to be in accordance with the requirements of and the regulations implementing Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 as amended in 1980 and 1992, the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the Archaeological and Historic Resources Preservation Act of 1974, the Georgia Environmental Policy Act of 1991, and Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act of 1966. From April 9 to 16, 2007, personnel from Ground Truth Research conducted a survey for archaeological resources in the areas intended to be impacted by the interchange improvements. The field work was preceded by a literature review of documents housed at the Georgia State Site Files in Athens, the University of Georgia Library and Special Collections in Athens, the files at the Historic Preservation Division in Atlanta, and resources maintained at the offices of Ground Truth Research in Decatur. All areas intended to be impacted by the redesign of the two interchanges were examined by means of testing and surface examination within the proposed expanded right of way. The area of potential effect of the construction should be restricted to this area. Taken together, the two study areas comprised a total of 9.0 km (5.6 miles). Available surface exposures were examined and subsurface tests were excavated when these exposures were insufficient. A total of 141 shovel tests was excavated, 80 at the North Valdosta Road (GA 7 Connector) interchange, and 61 at the Main Street (GA 122) interchange. As a result of these investigations, a series of seven isolated finds was discovered and identified. These finds occurred in insufficient density to be designated as archaeological sites. No significant archaeological resources were discovered within the proposed expanded right of way. None of the remains examined retain the integrity to be eligible under any criterion for a National Register property. As isolates are deemed ineligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places by definition, no further work should be required and it is recommended that the proposed undertaking be permitted to continue.