Phase I Archaeological Survey of Proposed Perimeter Center Parkway Extension, Dekalb County

In August 2000, Brockington and Associates, Inc., conducted Phase I archaeological survey of the proposed Perimeter Center Parkway extension improvements in DeKalb County, Georgia. Three alternatives were examined. The surveyed project corridor merges these three alternatives into one corridor, to provide full coverage. This corridor is approximately 1.4 km (0.85 miles) long and 30 meters (100 ft) wide. The width of the corridor expands in some places due to differences in the three alternatives. The project corridor begins at the end of Perimeter Center Parkway, extends south under Interstate 285 and across Perimeter Summit Parkway, curves east under the MARTA tracks, and merges with Perimeter Summit Parkway. This survey was conducted for ARCADIS Geraghty & Miller, Inc. Proposed road construction within the project area necessitated this study, to comply with cultural resource management provisions implementing Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (as amended, 1992). These investigations followed procedures defined in the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) Plan Development Process. Project activities included historical background research, archaeological field survey, and evaluation of all archaeological resources within the project corridor. Historic resources located in or near the project corridor are addressed in a separate report (Gardner and Hicks 2000). Background research identified no previously recorded archaeological sites within the project area. The closest sites were located approximately 2.1 km (1.25 miles) south and east of the southeastern end of the corridor. Sites 9DA 14 and 9DA22 are artifact and shell scatters which were documented by Georgia State University. National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) eligibility of these sites is unknown. The archaeological field survey identified no unrecorded archaeological sites. Based on results of these investigations, the proposed extension of Perimeter Center Parkway will not affect significant archaeological sites. Proposed construction should be granted archaeological clearance to proceed.