An Intensive Archaeological Survey of the Proposed Reconstruction of Plainville Road, Gordon County, Georgia

Southeastern Archeological Services conducted an intensive archeological survey of the proposed widening of a 3.2 km (2.0 mi) length of Plainville Road, in southern Gordon County, Georgia. The existing varying width two lane roadway would be upgraded to two 3.6 m lanes with an urban curb and gutter section in portions in and near Plainville and a rural section with graded shoulders easterly to just beyond State Route 53, the eastern terminus. The area of potential effect consists of the maximum extent of new right-of-way or construction easement, whichever is greater. Given that the existing and proposed rights-of-way are highly variable, the area of potential effect is variable in width. However, in general, the area of potential effect includes only about 3 to 4 m on both sides of the road. The field survey conducted in September, 2000 resulted in the identification of three previously unreported archeological sites (9G0211, 9GO212, and 9G0213). One is a late nineteenth to early twentieth century house site, one a late nineteenth to early twentieth century cemetery and one a prehistoric lithic and ceramic scatter. All three sites are recommended ineligible to the National Register because of poor integrity and for failure to meet criterion d, ability to yield further important information. Cemetery site 9GO213 also fails to meet the other criteria (association with important persons or events). The cemetery was delineated using informant interviews, visual inspection and metal probes to ensure that the proposed project does not affect it. The graves extend northward to the edge of the Plainville Road bank, and along Plainville Road for a distance of 70 m east of the church building. Project planners were given this information and the cemetery will be avoided by expanding Plainville Road only to the north here, while maintaining current rights-of-way, shoulders and road banks. Thus, we conclude that the proposed road construction will have no adverse effect to significant archeological resources.