Phase I Archaeological Survey of Portions of the Oconee National Forest, Jones, Jasper, and Putnam Counties, Georgia

TRC conducted a Phase I archaeological survey of portions of the Oconee National Forest in Jasper, Jones, and Putnam counties, Georgia. Undertaken on behalf of the U.S. Forest Service, this work sought to determine whether archaeological resources were present in the project tracts and to evaluate the potential eligibility of any archaeological resources for listing on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). The project area consists of 38 tracts totaling 1,225 acres, which are located in various compartments and stands of the Oconee National Forest. Prior to the archaeological survey, records, maps, and reports on file were searched at the Georgia Archaeological Site File in Athens and the TRC library in Atlanta. The purpose of this research was to collect information on previously reported archaeological sites in or near the project area. A total of 89 previously recorded sites are located within 0.5 km of the project tracts. Of these sites, 15 were recorded within the project tracts and potentially may be affected by forest clearing. Of the previously recorded sites in the project tracts, previous studies had recommended two of them eligible for the NRHP (9J0206 and 9J0224), eight had been recommended ineligible (9JA339, 9J0124, 9J0125, 9J0222, 9PM622, 9PM623, 9PM745, and 9PM788), and five had not been assessed (9J0150, 9PM19, 9PM69, 9PM95, and 9PM736). The current archaeological survey was carried out in July and August 2004 and identified 27 archaeological resources within the project tracts. Two prehistoric archaeological sites (9PM1442 and 9PM1443) are recommended potentially eligible for the NRHP, such that their NRHP status is unknown. These sites should be subjected to test excavations if they cannot be avoided. Site 9PM736 is a previously recorded historic nineteenth-century cemetery that requires additional historical research in order to determine its NRHP eligibility status. TRC recommends that this cemetery be avoided and that wooded areas surrounding it be left intact in order to limit any potential effects to the resource. All other identified archaeological resources are recommended ineligible for listing on the NRHP. Site 910206 was previously recommended eligible for NRHP listing. However, current investigations at the site found it to be heavily eroded so that it does not contain intact archaeological deposits. Therefore, it is recommended ineligible for the NRHP. Site 910224 was also previously recommended eligible for the NRHP. However, further investigations at this site determined that 910224 lies outside of the project tract (Compartment 125, Stand 20). The entirety of the site beyond the project tract was not investigated, and thus no NRHP recommendation can be offered. However, the portion of 910224 adjacent to the project tract lacks further research potential, and will not be adversely affected by the proposed undertaking. Site 9PM69 was previously not assessed for NRHP eligibility. The location of this site is recorded as uncertain, and other sites have been recorded within its originally defined boundaries. A possible locus of this site (AR 21) was identified within the western boundary of 9PM69; however, the locus identified within the site was found to have very sparse archaeological remains. Based on the results of the current investigations, the locus within 9PM69 has no further research potential, and will not be adversely affected by the proposed undertaking. The site as a whole, beyond the project tract, was not investigated, and no NRHP assessment can be made at this time. In summary, site 9PM736--a historic cemetery-requires more documentary research in order to make a recommendation of NRHP eligibility. Such research would focus on whether the cemetery is connected to individuals or events important in local history. Regardless of the cemetery's NRHP eligibility status, it should be avoided, and wooded areas surrounding it should be left intact. Sites 9PM1442 and 9PM1443 are upland Mississippian Lamar homesteads whose eligibility for the NRHP cannot be determined without additional archaeological investigations. If they cannot be avoided during the current proposed undertaking and preserved in place, TRC recommends archaeological test excavations to determine their NRHP eligibility. The remaining archaeological Oconee National Forest Archaeological Survey IV resources located within the project tracts are recommended ineligible for the NRHP. No additional cultural resources investigations are recommended for these resources.