Report on an Archaeological Survey of the Proposed Braselton Industrial Park, Braselton, Georgia

The Braselton Industrial Park Cultural Resources Survey was designed to provide an archaeological survey of 174 acres (70.4 hectares) of a proposed industrial park for the town of Braselton, Georgia (Figure 1-1). The proposed industrial park, 1 1/2 miles (2.4 kilometers) west of Braselton, is on either side of State Highway 124, south of Interstate 85, and is bisected by the Mulberry River. The project area is located in both Barrow and Jackson counties. Fieldwork was conducted by Thomas Wheaton and Keith Reiner on October 7th and 8th, 1982. Archaeological techniques included surface survey and sub-surface shovel testing. Background research was performed prior to fieldwork. Fieldwork was executed in three areas, designated D, F, and G of the proposed Braselton, Georgia Industrial Park. As a result of intensive agriculture during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, and recent logging activities, much of the area today is overgrown in dense secondary vegetation. Also, topography is greatly altered by terracing for agriculture. Erosion has stripped much of the area's topsoil. A 25-30 acre (10-12 hectare) area south of Highway 124 has been eroded to red clay subsoil. This area now contains a few young pines, which apparently have been planted to prevent further erosion. Immediately south of this area is a large swampy floodplain densely overgrown in briers. This area was not surveyed due to its extremely poor potential for site location. The remaining portions of the project areas were intensively surveyed. The survey located three sites and one isolated find. These sites, and the isolated find do not appear to have potential for providing significant data for the study of the pre hi story or hi story of the region; and thus, do not appear to be eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. Due to factors addressed in this report, clearance is therefore recommended for the sites. One site, 20091-2, was found outside the project area. This site appears to have the potential for an intact stratigraphy. It is recommended that this site be archaeologically tested if it is ever to be impacted by future ground disturbing activities. However, this site does not affect the present Braselton Industrial Park Project.