Addendum: Phase II Archeological Testing At Sites 9BA63 and 9BA65 R & B Landfill Banks County, Georgia

In March and May 2002, R. S. Webb and Associates (RSWA) conducted Phase II archeological testing at two previously recorded sites, 9BA63 and 9BA65, to evaluate their current NRHP eligibility status, and to identify the horizontal/vertical limits of the archeological deposits. These sites are located near Carlan Creek, 1.5 km southeast of the intersection of State Route (SR) 184 and SR 51, in Mt. Pleasant, Georgia. Based on the NRHP eligibility recommendations provided in the survey report, Sites 9BA63 and 9BA65 have been preserved in place since they were recorded. A plan for expansion of the facilities at the R & B Landfill was recently developed. Under the proposed plan, the areas containing Sites 9BA63 and 9BA65 are proposed for expansion of the landfill, and would be adversely affected by the proposed undertaking. Fryman et al. reported that Site 9BA63 was a large prehistoric quartz quarry site containing a dense concentration of quartz crystals and quartz crystal boulders. This site was recommended eligible for the NRHP based on the survey data. Site 9BA65 was described as a large outcrop of soapstone and quartz with a historic period chimney fall. The prehistoric component of 9BA65 was recommended potentially eligible for the NRHP and Phase II testing was recommended to assess the NRHP eligibility of 9BA65. RSWA conducted a surface inspection and excavated 98 close interval shovel tests at Site 9BA63. Our testing at 9BA63 indicates that this site does not exhibit evidence of use as a quartz quarry. Given the low artifact density, the apparent lack of deeply buried cultural deposits, and the evidence of severe disturbance, the research potential of Site 9BA63 is low. The site is recommended ineligible for the NRHP based on the testing data. Accordingly, the development proposed for this area will have no effect on significant archeological properties. No further cultural resources work is recommended in this area. RSWA conducted a surface inspection, excavated 94 close interval shovel tests, three 2.0 m by 2.0 m test units, and a 1.0 m by 2.0 m test unit at Site 9BA65. Phase II testing at Site 9BA65 indicates that additional archeological investigations at this site would likely yield substantial additional data. Site 9BA65 presents the potential to provide information about soapstone quarrying, soapstone vessel forms and production methods, and possibly, domestic activities related to the quarry operation. Therefore, Site 9BA65 is recommended eligible for the NRHP under Criterion D (archaeology) at the local level of significance. Current development plans indicate that preservation in place of Site 9BA65 is an infeasible management alternative. Phase III archeological data recovery is recommended to mitigate the adverse effects to 9BA65 from landfill development.