Phase I Archaeological Survey for the Bridge Replacement on SR 158 at the 17 Mile River

New South Associates, Inc. conducted a Phase I Archaeological Survey of a bridge replacement corridor on SR 158 at the crossing of the 17 Mile River in Coffee County, Georgia (GDOT Project CSBRG-0007-00(006), PI #0007166). The purpose of the investigation was to determine whether any archaeological resources were present in the project's Area of Potential Effect (APE). Wilbur Smith Associates, who is responsible for providing an assessment for the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), subcontracted New South Associates to perform the archaeological survey, which was conducted between October 26 and 29, 2010. The corridor is roughly 0.52 mile (0.8 km) in length. An expanded 120-300-foot right-of-way was investigated, as well as an additional 100-foot width beyond each side of the identified APE as required by the GDOT guidelines presented in the revised GDOT Environmental Procedures Manual. Two transects on either side of the road were surveyed to accommodate both the required and additional rights-of-way. A historic structures survey for this project was conducted separately. This report describes the objectives, methods, and results of this archaeological survey, provides evaluations concerning the significance of newly identified resources, and makes recommendations concerning further historic preservation work. Background research indicated one previously recorded site (9CF6) within the project area. The site was recorded in the 1970s based on lithic artifacts recovered from a borrow pit. Because the location has had soil removed to a depth of approximately eight feet, the recorded site area is very eroded and no additional artifacts were located on the surface or in adjacent shovel tests. Site 9CF6 has been destroyed, and no further work in that location is recommended. The Phase I Archaeological Survey resulted in the recording of one small prehistoric archaeological site on the south side of SR 158 that may extend upslope to higher ground south of and outside the proposed project APE (9CF307). The site is a sparse artifact scatter that yielded nine small lithic flakes. Although the site's overall National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) eligibility is unknown, the portion of the site located within the project's APE does not contribute to its eligibility. Based on the results of this survey, the proposed replacement of the bridge at SR 158 and 17 Mile River would not result in any effects on NRHP-eligible archaeological resources; therefore, no further work is recommended for this project.