Phase I Archaeological Survey of SR 67 from Interstate 16 to Statesboro Bypass

New South Associates completed the archaeological survey of the State Route (SR) 67 widening project in response to a request by Ecological Solutions, Inc. The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) is in the planning stages of a proposed widening project to improve sections of SR 67 in Bulloch County, Georgia from approximately 0.4 mile south of I-16 to just south of County Road (CR) 585 (Burkhalter Road), a distance of approximately 10.9 miles. The Area of Potential Effect (APE) for the current archaeological survey is defined as the existing right-of-way (ROW) and proposed new ROW on either side of SR 67. The proposed new ROW extends between 15 and 45 meters (50 and 148 ft.) from either side of the existing SR 67, while the existing ROW varies between 7 and 43 meters (23 and 141 ft.) from either side of the existing SR 67. An Expanded Survey Corridor (ESC) was established at 30 meters (100 ft.) beyond both sides of the APE as required by GDOT in the Environmental Procedures Manual. Background research at the Georgia State Archaeological Site Files indicated that there were four previously recorded archaeological sites and five previous surveys within one kilometer of the survey corridor. All of the previously recorded sites fall within the current survey corridor and include 9BU8, 9BU9, 9BU27, and 9BU58. Sites 9BU8 and 9BU27 were recommended as not eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), the eligibility status of 9BU9 was listed as unknown, and no eligibility recommendation was listed for 9BU58. As a result of the Phase I survey, 22 new archaeological sites were identified and two previously recorded sites (9BU8 and 9BU9) were relocated. Two other previously recorded sites (9BU27 and 9BU58) were not relocated because no artifacts or other archaeological remains were found at these locations during the current survey. The new sites identified are 9BU77, 9BU78, 9BU79, 9BU80, 9BU81, 9BU82, 9BU83, 9BU84, 9BU85, 9BU86, 9BU87, 9BU88, 9BU89, 9BU90, 9BU91, 9BU92, 9BU93, 9BU94, 9BU95, 9BU96, 9BU97, and 9BU98. Nineteen of the new sites and two of the relocated sites (9BU8, 9BU9, 9BU77, 9BU78, 9BU79, 9BU80, 9BU81, 9BU82, 9BU83, 9BU84, 9BU85, 9BU86, 9BU87, 9BU88, 9BU90, 9BU91, 9BU92, 9BU93, 9BU94, 9BU96, and 9BU98) were not fully delineated because their boundaries may continue outside of the ESC. While the portions of these sites identified within the survey corridor are believed to be of low research value and are considered non-contributing to their NRHP eligibility, the NRHP eligibility of each of these sites as a whole remains unknown because the boundaries of each may continue outside of the survey corridor. The remaining three sites (9BU89, 9BU95, and 9BU97) are contained entirely within the survey corridor; each of these resources are believed to have low research potential and are recommended not eligible for listing on the NRHP. In terms of the locations of the identified sites in relation to the APE and ESC, one site (9BU89) is located entirely within the APE; two (9BU95 and 9BU97) are contained entirely within the APE and ESC; three (9BU82, 9BU88, and 9BU90) occur within the ESC and extend outside of the ESC; and the remaining 18 (9BU8, 9BU9, 9BU77, 9BU78, 9BU79, 9BU80, 9BU81, 9BU83, 9BU84, 9BU85, 9BU86, 9BU87, 9BU91, 9BU92, 9BU93, 9BU94, 9BU95, and 9BU96) occur within the APE and ESC but may also extend beyond the ESC. In addition to the identified sites, seven isolated finds were identified; all of which are considered not eligible for listing on the NRHP due to their isolated nature.