Phase I Archaeological Surveye of the Broad Avenue Bridge over the Flint River and Phase II Archaeological Testing of Site 9DU193, Dougherty County, Georgia

In March, June, July, September and October 2010, Edwards-Pitman Environmental, Inc. (EPEI) conducted Phase I archaeological survey and Phase II geomorphological and archaeological testing of the proposed Broad Avenue bridge replacement project area over the Flint River in Albany, Dougherty County, Georgia [GDOT Project CSSTP-M002-00(960) and CSHPP-0007-00(550), P.I.s M002960 and 0007550, HP No. 05053-004]. The results of these investigations will be discussed in this report. The goal of the su ey and testing was to locate and evaluate archaeological sites within the Area of Potential E ect (APE) of the proposed undertaking so that potential effects to any resources identified cou d be evaluated in accordance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHP) as amended. The project was conducted for the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDO) under a contract with Heath and Lineback Engineers, Inc. The initial survey work for this project was conducted in March 2010. At that time, the design work for the new bridge had not been completed. Generall, the project limits started at the intersection of Broad Avenue and South Front Street on the west side of the Flint River and extended to the intersection of Broad Avenue and College Drive on t e east side of the Flint River. The proposed project length was approximately 0.74 miles. EPEI surveyed this area as well as a 100-foot buffer or expanded survey corridor (ESC) as stipulated by DOT's Environmental Procedures Manual. An examination of the Georgia Archaeological Site Files (GASF) at the University of Georgia in Athens prior to the survey work showed that 1 0 reviously recorded archaeological sites are located within a 1-kilometerradius of the survey area. None are located within the survey corridor. Research at the site files also showed that four previo s surveys had been conducted in the project corridor. During the March 2010 survey, three previously unrecorded sites, 9DU193, 9DU194, and 9DU195, were identified through surface collection and shove and auger testing. In June 2010, following further engineering work, and the restriction of the bridge replacement project area to the existing GDOT right-of-way (ROW), additional shovel an auger testing was undertaken by EPEI at 9DU193 and 9DU195. The purpose of this additional work was to clarify the horizontal and vertical boundaries and eligibility recommendations or these two sites. Site 9DU193 was discovered on the east bank of the lint River. The site is multi-component and consists of a probable Archaic period lithic scatter, an historic artifact scatter dating to the twentieth century, and piers from the ca. 1898 bridge over th Flint River. Because the full extent of the site was not delineated outside the survey area, its overall eligibility for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is unknown. However, based on the results of shovel and auger testing and the potential for deep and possibly stratified cultural deposits, EPEI recommended that the portion of the site examined was potentially contributing under Criterion D and that additional work, including a geomorphology investigation and chaeological testing, be conducted to further assess the site. Site 9DU194 consists of a mid-twentieth century artifact scatter, which was identified through shovel testing on a highly disturbed terrace east of the Flint River. Based on survey and background research findings, EPEI recommends that the port· n of 9DU194 in the survey area does not Archaeological Survey and Testing of the Broad Avenue Bridge over Flint River, Dougherty County contribute to its eligibility and no further work is needed. However, as the boundaries of the site have not been fully defined, its overall eligibility under Criterion D is unknown. Foil owing the reduction of the project area, 9DU194 is not located within the current APE. Site 9DU 195 is a non-diagnostic lithic scatter and a late nineteenth through mid-twentieth century artifact scatter located in RiverFront Park on the west bank of the Flint River. A small assemblage of artifacts was surface collected from the park grounds and the bank of the river in March 2010. No shovel tests were excavated at that time because EPEI staff did not want to disturb the park's landscaping. Subsequent auger and shovel testing undertaken in June 2010 recovered artifacts but also documented that a deep layer of fill covered the area. As EPEI was unable to reach intact soils with these methods, it was recommended that a geomorphologist examine the site to assess the potential for buried archaeological deposits. Then, if necessary, EPEI could further evaluate its eligibility status. Overall, 9DU195 is recommended as of unknown eligibility for the NRHP as its full boundaries have not been delineated. In July 2010, a Phase II investigation was initiated by EPEI following consultation with GDOT. As noted earlier, the project area had been reduced and was at this juncture limited to the existing bridge ROW. A geomorphological assessment of 9DU193 and 9DU195 was first undertaken by Keith Seramur. He concluded that no additional work was necessary at 9DU195 as the original landform had been extensively modified by cutting, landfilling, park construction, and landscaping and there was little potential for intact cultural deposits. No further archaeological work is required as the portion of 9DU195 within the reduced APE does not contribute to its eligibility. However, this assessment did not alter the overall eligibility for 9DU195 as its full boundaries have not been defined. At 9DU193, Keith Seramur and EPEI staff oversaw the excavation of five backhoe trenches within the reduced APE to assess the potential for deeply buried archaeological remains. This work identified two locations where there was some potential for cultural deposits. Following the completion of close interval shovel testing to better define the site boundaries, two 2-x-2-meter test units were excavated at these two locations. This work showed that a cultural deposit was wellpreserved in one of the test units; however, based on overall project data, it was unclear whether the deposit was localized or if it was preserved in other portions of the existing bridge ROW. In September 2010, EPEI returned to 9DU193 at the request of GDOT to help clarify the NRHP eligibility of the site within the existing ROW. At this time, one additional 2-x-2-meter test unit was excavated in the southwestern portion of the site APE. The findings from this unit indicated that the cultural deposit identified in July did not extend into this portion of the site. However, an additional artifact concentration was identified in this unit, which was expanded 1 meter to the west in October 2010 to further evaluate the deposit. Based on the information from this test unit, the test unit extension, and previous data gathered by Seramur, the depositional context of the artifact concentration in this portion of the site was determined to be natural and not cultural in origin. As a result, Phase II investigations at 9DU193 indicated that two separate depositional processes, natural and cultural, were responsible for the artifact distribution at the site. These investigations also confirmed that widespread disturbance defines most of the site within the APE. Based on EPEI's findings during Phase II testing, the data recovered from 9DU 193 within the APE cannot address significant research questions regarding regional prehistory. In addition, it does not appear that further investigation in the APE would yield significant data. Based on current information it is unlikely that this portion of the site will yield significant data, and therefore does not contribute to the overall NRHP eligibilty o the site. However, it is recommended that archaeological monitoring take place during bridged molition/construction in the proposed APE as construction plans, including proposed depths of isturbance, have not been finalized. Future consultation with GDOT will be required prior to de olition to determine the parameters of the monitoring effort. The overall eligibility of 9DU193 under Criterion D remains unknown as its boundaries have not been fully defined. Because EP I 's Phase II investigation was limited to the existing ROW, and auger tests north of the bridge yield prehistoric artifacts at notable depths, it is recommended that the remaining known site area be flagged as environmentally sensitive during construction so that this unevaluated portion is not disturbed.