The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) plans to replace the existing bridge on CR 321 /Taliaferro Springs Road over the Chattooga River. A prior Phase I survey for this project identified a site and recommended it potentially eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). This Phase II study of the site involved evaluating the archaeological significance of site portions inside the right-of-way (ROW) for this planned project. The Phase it involved fieldwork and laboratory analysis to determine the chronology, function, context, and research potential of the site. The Phase II study indicated that portions of the site within the project ROW lack data that would contribute significantly to studies of prehistory. Though a Swift Creek component was documented, it is unclear what other prehistoric components are represented and all the prehistoric materials are mixed in the Ao and E horizons and fill/colluvial deposits. The site appears to lack cultural features. Separate cultural deposits cannot be discerned, making it difficult to address research questions about prehistory. Furthermore, the nature of the site and its probable function, at least as represented in the project ROW, has been documented and any additional excavations would likely produce redundant information. Because the information potential of these portions of the site are considered to be exhausted, the planned bridge replacement project would have no effect on the site's potential NRHP eligibility, which overall remains undetermined. Consequently, no further archaeological work is recommended in association with this project.
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