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GDOT Project EDS-441(15) and (16) Description of Archaeological Site 9CA(DOT)3, Watkinsville Battlefield, Clarke

Report Number
5845
Year of Publication
1994
County
Abstract

Site 9Ca(DOT)3, referred to here as the Watkinsville Battlefield is located in Clarke County in an area roughly bounded to the North by the South Athens Bypass, US 441 to the East, and the Old Watkinsville road and McNutt Creek on the South and West. The site represents the only Civil War battlefield site in the vicinity of Athens. Situated on the East facing slope and top of a hill, the site extends approximately 320 m. in a NE-SW direction. The highest point, which appears to be the main battery emplacement wedged between Edwards Chapel and a borrow pit, is the only portion of the site that appears to have been affected by surrounding development. The remaining area is located in relatively undisturbed woods. The earthen features that make-up the site identified as the battery emplacements and infantry trenches appear to have suffered some erosion, but are otherwise undisturbed. Due to the high level of site integrity and it's significance in local history, 9C0(DOT)3 is recommended eligible for the National Register of Historic Places under Criteria A, C and D as an intact Civil War battle site. It's level of significance is at the local level as the only known Civil War site in the area, and possesses a state level of significance in the area of engineering as an intact example of a battery emplacement. However because the site lies outside of the GDOT proposed project area and no negative effects are foreseen, no further cultural resource management consideration is recommended.