Cultural Resources Survey of the Locust Stake Timber Sale, Habersham and Stephens Counties, Georgia Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests

Between 30 September and 11 October 2013, Archaeological Consultants of the Carolinas, Inc. (ACC) and Appalachee Research Archaeological Consultants, Inc., conducted an archaeological survey of 390 acres associated with the Locust Stake Timber Sale. The project area is in the northeastern portion of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest in Habersham and Stephens counties, Georgia. The survey areas are located in Compartments 218 and 220, and encompass 16 different timber stands in the northeastern portion of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest . In addition, three previously recorded sites (9ST36, 9ST37, and 9ST244) not in the survey stands were targeted for evaluation. Twelve archaeological sites and one isolated find were evaluated as part of this project (Table i.1). In addition to the three sites targeted for evaluation which are not located in the survey stands (9ST36, 9ST37, and 9ST244), the 12 sites evaluated includes two additional previously recorded archaeological sites in the survey stands (9ST38 and 9ST44). Seven previously undocumented archaeological sites and one isolated find were recorded and evaluated for eligibility for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). The twelve sites evaluated during this investigation include seven prehistoric and five historic sites. Five of the prehistoric sites are generic unidentified lithic scatters. A basal fragment of an Early Archaic point was found at 9ST31. Two pottery fragments were collected from 9ST343, with one having a complicated stamped design. This sherd could date to either the Late Woodland or Mississippian periods. All the prehistoric sites are sparse artifact scatters that appear to have their contexts compromised by past erosion and human induced land disturbance activities. Five historic era sites were evaluated. Site 9ST244 is a series of stone rows arranged along the upper side slope of a ridge top. Its age cannot be definitively determined but it likely dates to the late nineteenth or early twentieth century. Three of the historic sites (9ST36, 9ST37, and 9ST38) were occupied during the late nineteenth to early twentieth century period. The fifth historic site, 9ST44, was likely an early twentieth century house. One of the previously recorded sites, site 9ST44, and a previously recorded isolated find, Isolate 218- 4-1, could not be relocated. It is likely that this early twentieth century house site was razed after it was recorded. Site 9ST244 was originally recommended potentially eligible for the NRHP. During this investigation, this site was determined to be a series of farm terraces. Shovel tests and metal detection survey found no artifacts associated with these earthworks. This site is now recommended not eligible for the NRHP and no further evaluation is advocated. In contrast to previously recorded site 9ST244, 9ST36 was originally recommended not eligible for the NRHP. The site was originally assessed as being the ruins of a house site. However, this investigation's evaluation of the site raises the possibility of its being a small industrial site. As a result, it is now being recommend unevaluated for the NRHP pending more in-depth examination. Only one of the archaeological sites evaluated during this investigation, site 9ST36, is recommended for preservation and/or further evaluation. The remainder of the sites have not retained sufficient integrity to be able to address relevant research issues and no further work is recommended at these sites.