Phase I Archaeological Survey and Site Evaluation of Four Easements Along Old Alabama Road, Bartow County, Ga

This report details the results of New South Associates' Phase I Archaeological Survey of four easements along Old Alabama Road, Bartow County, Georgia and the evaluation of a site. This work was conducted as a subcontractor for Jordan, Jones & Goulding, Inc. The fieldwork took place on March 12-19 and April 23-25, 2008. The project areas are all located along the proposed Old Alabama Road corridor. The corridor is located about three miles (4.83 km) south of Cartersville and runs east-west from Emerson to State Road 113. The combined total length of the easements is approximately 5,900 feet (1,798 m). This project was divided into three phases: background research, fieldwork, and analysis. Background research revealed that the project area had a high potential for archaeological sites. Ninety-three previously recorded sites were identified within a mile of the project corridor. The corridor is located south of the Etowah River, and it lies inside of the Etowah Valley Historic District. Native American settlement of this region was intensive, as best evidenced by the Etowah Indian Mounds, a State Historic Site. As a result of this survey, two previously recorded sites, whose National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) was unknown, were reevaluated. The proposed undertaking is not considered to have an effect on either site for the portions of the sites within the easements. Overall eligibility for both sites remains unknown, as both sites extend outside of the APE. One new site was discovered during the survey. Site evaluation was completed through the excavation of test units, which revealed natural soil disturbance attributed to plowing and erosion reducing the preservation of the site. No further work is recommended for the portion of the site within the APE; the NRHP eligibility of this site as a whole remains unknown. The survey also documented the location of two isolated artifact finds both of which are recommended as not eligible for the NRHP.