Cultural Resources Survey for Gooch and Sumac Creek Timber Sales, Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest, Putnam and Murray Counties, Georgia

Panamerican Consultants, Inc. (PCI) has performed a Phase I cultural resources survey for the United States Forest Service (USPS) for two timber sales within the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest. A total of 2,703 acres were surveyed. Of this total, 1,607 acres are in the Blue Ridge Mountains of north Georgia in Murray County and are part of the Sumac Creek Timber Sale. The remaining 1,096 acres make up the Gooch Timber Sale, and are located in the middle Georgia piedmont plateau in Putnam County. OCONEE GOOCH TIMBER SALE During the Phase I cultural resources survey for the Gooch Timber Sale in the Oconee National Forest in Putnam County, Georgia, prehistoric components at 23 sites and 27 isolated find locations were identified within the APE. Historic components at 31 sites and nine isolated find locations were identified within the APE. PREHISTORIC ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES RECOMMENDED INELIGIBLE FOR THE NRHP. Applying NRHP eligibility Criterion D, 17 of these sites and all 27 isolated finds are recommended ineligible for the NRHP (Table 1 ). These sites have been severely disturbed, lack sufficient soil integrity to have preserved subsurface features, are heavily eroded, and/or have very low artifact density and diversity. As such, they are unlikely to retain significant research potential on the prehistoric use and settlement of the Little River region. No further archaeological investigation is recommended for the prehistoric components at these 44 locations. PREHISTORIC ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES RECOMMENDED UNEVALUATED FOR THE NRHP. Prehistoric components at six sites are recommended unevaluated for listing to the NRHP under Criterion D (see Table 1). Sufficient data could not be collected for these sites at the Phase I survey level to determine a clear eligibility recommendation. These sites may have the potential to yield information on prehistoric settlement and use of the Little River region. Avoidance, protection, or further evaluation through Phase II testing is recommended for these sites. HISTORIC ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES RECOMMENDED INELIGIBLE FOR THE NRHP. Applying NRHP eligibility criteria, 19 of these sites and all nine isolated finds are recommended ineligible for the NRHP (see Table 1 ). One site, 9PM2058, is a historic cemetery which, while not eligible for the NRHP, should be avoided. The other 18 sites have been severely disturbed, lack sufficient soil integrity to have preserved subsurface features, are heavily eroded, and/or have very low artifact density and diversity. As such, they are unlikely to retain significant research potential on the nineteenth or early twentieth century use and settlement of the Little River region. No further archaeological investigation is recommended for the historic components at these 27 locations. HISTORIC ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES RECOMMENDED UNEVALUATED FOR THE NRHP. Historic components at 12 sites are recommended unevaluated for listing to the NRHP under Criterion D (see Table 1 ). Sufficient data could not be collected for these sites at the Phase I survey level to determine a clear eligibility recommendation. These sites may have the potential to yield information on nineteenth or early twentieth century settlement and use of the Little River region. A cluster of historic sites found in close proximity to one another may form an archaeological district with significant research potential regarding tenant farming in the area after the Civil War. Avoidance, protection, or further evaluation through Phase II testing is recommended for these sites.