Phase I Archaeological Survey of Intersection Improvements at South Atlanta Road and I-285, Cobb County, Georgia

During April 2007, Edwards-Pitman Environmental, Inc. (EPEI) conducted a Phase I archaeological survey of two alternatives for the proposed redesigned Interstate (I) 285 Interchange at South Atlanta Road, Cobb County, Georgia. The project area is located southeast of Smyrna, Georgia. The goal of the survey was to locate and evaluate archaeological sites within the Area of Potential Effect (APE) of the proposed undertakings, so that potential effects to any resources identified could be evaluated in accordance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. The project was conducted under a contract with PBS&J. A review of the Georgia Archaeological Site Files at the University of Georgia in Athens showed that no previously identified archaeological sites had been reported in the APE. However, background research showed that earthen fortifications associated with the Civil War defense of Atlanta (1863-1864) were known to be in the vicinity of the proposed project. During fieldwork, one site was identified and recorded in the APE. Due to the nature of the survey methodology employed, the data potential for the investigated portion of the site has been met and no further archaeological work is recommended in the APE as currently designed. However, the site appears to continue undisturbed to the east, where intact earthworks are present. One additional archaeological site was identified during a separate but roughly simultaneous investigation of that property (Silliman and Pietak 2007). As these locations were identified during different projects, EPEI was initially compelled to assign two archaeological site numbers. Based on the nature of these sites and the presence of intact earthworks between them, EPEI contends that the entire legal parcel containing both sites should be evaluated as a single archaeological site. For the purposes of this project, one site is recommended as eligible for inclusion to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP).