Preliminary Case Report for Georgia Department of Transportation Project I-675-1(81), Archaeological Sites 9Da69 and 9Dal04

9Da104 and 9Da69 are Late Archaic (3000-1000 B.C.) steatite workshop and quarry sites, respectively, located between 1-285, West Side Place, and Henrico Road south of Atlanta on the large ultra-mafic intrusion known as Soapstone Ridge. More specifically, both sites are situated on the slopes of a large knoll known as Black Mountain. 9Da104 is located on the southwest slope of the mountain at an elevation of 870 feet (AMSL). The site covers approximately 2 acres. 9Da69, which covers approximately one-half acre, is situated on the northwest slope of the knoll at an elevation of 950 feet (AMSL). Presently, both sites are freely accessible, although terrain is rough. Both are immediately surrounded by woods. The general area is intruded by a power easement to the east, 1-285 to the north, commercial buildings to the west, and residential development to the south. There is a strong trend toward development in this area of southern DeKalb and northern Henry and Clayton Counties. The two sites are related, temporally and culturally, to one 53-acre site already on the National Register, the McGarity-Etheridge area and to three large acreage sites which are currently being proposed as National Historic Landmarks site, the Hardin site, and the McGarity-Etheridge area. The entire geological formation known as Soaptone Ridge has not been considered for nomination as a National Landmark or National Register property due to the extensive intrusions on the Ridge. The land on which the two archaeological sites are located is owned by Pico, Inc. There are no plans to develop the two archaeological sites as in situ museums or interpretational centers. If current trends continue, the land will eventually be developed for economic reasons.