Phase I Survey and Phase II Testing of the Sapelo Bluff Tract

Brockington and Associates, Inc., conducted Phase I archaeological resources survey and Phase II archaeological test excavations at the Sapelo Bluff tract in Mcintosh County, Georgia from 8 January to 23 February 2007. The project tract consists of approximately 25 acres bordering the southeast bank of the Sapelo River, on the northwest side of Belleville Point. This investigation was carried out for Sligh Environmental Consultants, Inc. and Mcintosh Partners Sapelo Bluff, LLC, and was conducted in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and 36 CPR Part 800, by personnel qualified under 36 CPR Part 61, Appendix A. Background research conducted at the Georgia Archaeological Site Files and online at the Natural, Archaeological and Historic Resources Geographic Information Systems found one archaeological resource (9MC60, Hopkins Mound) previously recorded within or adjacent to the project tract and ten sites within a 1.6 km (1 mi) radius. During Phase I archaeological resources survey, archaeologists conducted surface survey and excavated 165 screened (1/4 inch) shovel tests at 30 meter (100 ft) intervals across the majority of the project tract and at 15 meter intervals along the . bluff. These investigations, and a subsequent intensive focus on the reported UTM site location, found no evidence for the presence of site 9MC60 within the project tract. However, due to the sensitive nature of this site, earth moving/disturbing activities associated with proposed development conducted in the vicinity of the plotted location of 9MC60 should be carefully monitored by a qualified professional archaeologist. A cluster of 27 positive shovel tests, containing primarily prehistoric ceramic sherds dating from the Ceramic Late Archaic through the Late Mississippian periods was defined in the central portion of the proj,ect tract as site 9MC420. Based on observed ceramic type diversity and artifact frequency, this site was recommended potentially eligible for the National Register of Historic Places and Brockington conducted Phase II investigations to provide a definitive recommendation. Phase II excavations (i.e., excavation of 57, 50 by 50 centimeter test pits, 19 additional [judgmental] shovel tests, and seven, 1 by 2 meter excavation units; total- 42.5 square meters) resulted in recovery of additional artifacts and one possible feature (a detennined to be a recent shell and charcoal deposit). The site extends across the majority of the central portion of the project tract and westward onto an adjacent tract, unavailable for our investigation. Most of the Phase II artifact assemblage consists of ceramic sherds, consistent with the Phase I results. Diagnostic ceramics (Late Archaic through Late Mississippian) were recovered from 0 to 60 em below the ground surface. No associated cultural feature were encountered, and artifacts lack discrete component context and stratigraphic integrity (i.e., they are mixed together horizontally and from surface to deepest deposit) in site areas investigated within the project tract. The portion of 9MC420 located within the project tract lacks the potential to contribute additional information important in prehistory or history. However, this site extends for an undetermined distance and extent to the west (and possibly to the east) onto the adjacent property. Brockington archaeologists were unable to access this area during survey or testing. Therefore, we recommend the overall NRHP eligibility of 9MC420 as unknown. However, Brockington has demonstrated that the portion of this site within the project tract has been extensively disturbed and exhibits extremely poor research potential. No additional archaeological investigations should be required for this portion of 9MC420. With the exception of the limited monitoring noted above, Brockington recommends cultural resources clearance for the Sapelo Bluff tract.