Phase 1 Cultural Resources Survey: Trade Center III

Greenhorne & O'Mara conducted a Phase I cultural resources investigation for Champion Partners within an approximately 32-acre tract located in Henry County, Georgia. Because the proposed construction will impact wetland already identified within the project area, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Section 404 permit is required. Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (NHPA) requires that federally funded, assisted, or licensed undertakings take into account their effect on significant cultural resources eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). The cultural resources investigation included background research which indicated that no previously identified archaeological sites were present within the project area. It also indicated that a turn-of-thecentury homestead was likely present in the southwestern portion of the project area. Probability for prehistoric cultural resources was considered high based on site location. Surface inspection of the project area revealed extensive disturbance and erosion. Artifacts recovered during the surface inspection of the project area consisted of a quartzite biface of indeterminate age and a quartzite projectile point dating to the Archaic Period (ca. 8,000-1,000 BC). Also recovered were three grit-tempered cord-marked sherds dating to the Woodland Period (1,000-300 BC). Ten shovel test units excavated within the wooded portions of the project area revealed a soil profile consisting mainly of a thin humic layer over clay subsoil, an indication of severe erosion and disturbance. Surface inspection in the portion of the project area where historic maps indicated a homestead revealed an open well, a mortared granite chimney, and a mortared brick footing. In addition numerous artifacts related to the Glasses Crossing Road historic occupation were recovered from two areas north and east of the well. Four shovel test units excavated in the area of the historic homestead revealed a thin layer of very dark gray soil above the subsoil and addition historic artifacts. The Glasses Crossing Road site, consisting of the identified structural remains, the extensive surface scatter of domestic artifacts, and the subsurface deposits encompasses an area 76 meters (250 feet) north-to-south and 60 meters (200 feet) east-to-west or a total of 4,560 square meters (50,000 square feet). Based on the artifacts recovered as well as available historic maps the site was occupied from the late-19' century through the mid-20' century. The majority of the project area appears to have suffered extreme disturbance and erosion. Thus, while the prehistoric lithics and ceramics add to the available data on settlement patterning in this area, little additional information could be gained from further archaeological investigations of the majority of the project area. Thus, the prehistoric artifacts recovered from the project area do not represent an archaeological resource potentially eligible for the NRHP and no further archaeological investigation of these remains is recommended. The area surrounding the structural remains related to the historic occupation of the project area, the Glasses Crossing Road site, revealed an extensive surface, as well as subsurface, scatter of artifacts related to the historic occupation of this site. This occupation represents a potentially NRHP-eligible cultural resource. Avoidance of ground disturbance at the site or Phase II evaluation investigations are recommended.