From 27 May to 30 May 1986, and from 10 June to 11 June 1986, John Jameson, staff archeologist with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Savannah District, conducted an intensive cultural resource survey of planned campground expansions in the Raysville (McDuffie County), Winfield (Columbia County), and Petersburg (Columbia County) recreation areas of Clarks Hill Lake. One prehistoric archeological site, state number 9Mf35, was recorded. A total of 203 lithic (stone) artifacts were collected for analysis. A possible fire pit feature was recorded at 18 centimeters below surface within a one meter square test unit. The site is interpreted as a Middle Archaic Period (8,000-6,000 years ago) limited activity campsite, and, because of a potential for buried artifacts and features, should be considered as eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. Since planned construction of campground facilities at Raysville could adversely affect the site, it is recommended that planned construction be redesigned to achieve total avoidance and site protection. specifically, it is recommended that:. a. An undeveloped, wooded buffer of 200 feet should be maintained surrounding the site. b. The existing access trail should be closed and allowed to revegetate. c. Should the site become threatened by development or unauthorized collection and removal of artifacts, a full-scale data recovery program should be carried out by a professional archeologist.
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