Archaeological Survey of the Upper Walnut Creek and Birch Creek Sewer Lines, Henry County, Georgia

In December 2005 and January 2006 Southeastern Archeological Services, Inc. (SAS) conducted a Phase I archeological survey of approximately 12.7 6 km (7 .9 mi) of proposed sewerage interceptor lines and a force main line in central Henry County, west and northwest of McDonough. Most of the two lines (Upper Walnut Creek and Birch Creek) lie in the flood plains of creeks, but small portions of each follow existing highways. The project corridor was 18 m (60 ft) wide, although construction (excavation) is likely only within a 6-m (20-ft) corridor. The proposed lines cross Walnut and Birch Creeks several times. The survey was conducted by walking the lines and excavating shovel tests every 30m in undisturbed, dry portions of the project corridor. Archival research indicated that no known sites existed in the project area. No historic period structures were known to exist in the narrow project corridor. A mill that once existed on Walnut Creek was believed to lie outside of the project corridor (on the other side of the creek) and this was confirmed by the field survey. The archeological survey relied upon shovel testing to detect artifacts indicative of sites. For the most part, shovel tests were placed in one transect along the proposed centerline. Once a site was detected, it was investigated with more shovel tests along the corridor length at 10- or 20-m intervals (depending on the anticipated size of the site) and with one or several perpendicular transects of shovel tests to explore site width. Because several sites were likely very wide (that is, would extend well beyond the width of the sewerage line corridor), we did not always accurately determine width of sites. Our survey encountered and recorded four sites and two isolated artifact occurrences. The sites consist of a sparse lithic scatter, a sparse lithic and pottery scatter, a sparse pottery scatter and a cluster of about six historic period rock piles. In addition to having little cultural material, the prehistoric sites are not well preserved, with one located on the toe of an eroded ridge slope, another located between two agricultural terraces and the third on a terrace-like landform. The rock pile cluster is associated with terracing on the lower slopes of a ridge and clearly is of historic period origin. Because of loss of integrity and lack of research potential, we recommend that none of the sites are eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places. Therefore, in regard to archeological resources, we recommend clearance for the project to proceed.