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"PHASE I ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF THE

Author(s)
Report Number
7792
Year of Publication
2011
County
Abstract

In September, 2011, Edwards-Pitman Environmental, Inc. (EPEI) conducted a Phase I archaeological survey for the proposed Bob Callan Trunk Trail, Phase 2, along Rottenwood Creek (P.I. 0010009). The goal of the survey was to locate and evaluate archaeological sites within the area of potential effect (APE) and the expanded survey corridor (ESC) of the proposed undertaking, so that potential effects to identified resources could be evaluated in accordance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. The Cobb County Department of Transportation (CCDOT), in conjunction with the Cumberland Community Improvement District (CCID), is in the process of preparing a Categorical Exclusion (CE) for the project. The project will result in approximately 2.1 miles of trail that will extend between the existing Bob Callan trailhead on Interstate North Parkway (located just north of I-285 and the intersection with Cumberland Boulevard) and Terrell Mill Road. A new trailhead will be constructed at Terrell Mill Road and provisions will be made for future connections to existing residential developments along the length of the project. The project will result in a new connection to the existing network of trails that allows users to access multiple destinations in the Cumberland Galleria area, including the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (CRNRA). A review of the Georgia Archaeological Site File (GASF) at the University of Georgia (UGA) in Athens, and of Georgia's Natural, Archaeological, and Historic Resources Geographic Information System (GNAHRGIS) showed that seven previously identified sites, 9CO92, 9CO131, 9CO343, 9CO344, 9CO345, 9CO346, and 9CO459, have been recorded within a 1-kilometer radius of the project area (see Report Summary Table). Previously recorded sites within 1 kilometer of the project area represent occupations ranging from the Middle Woodland through Historic periods and vary in type from prehistoric isolated finds and villages to historic mill sites and homesteads. Three previously recorded sites within 1 kilometer of the project area, 9CO344, 9CO345, and 9CO346, have been recommended eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). These sites are connected with historic water-powered milling. Archaeological Phase II testing and Phase III data recovery was performed at 9CO344 and 9CO345, a mill and house site, respectively, prior to the construction of the present interchange configuration at the I-285/I-75 junction (Wheaton and Reed 1993; Roberts et. al. 1995). Both of these sites were subsequently destroyed by ramp and highway construction. Site 9CO346 has been identified as Akers Mill, which supplied milled goods such as flour to Atlanta markets in the late nineteenth century. Phase I archaeological survey for the proposed Bob Callan Trail, Phase 2, along Rottenwood Creek resulted in the identification of one previously unrecorded historic archaeological site, 9CO(FS1). One previously recorded archaeological site, 9CO92, was also identified within the survey boundaries. A revisit to 9CO92 indicates that the area has been fully developed, and that the associated archaeological site has been destroyed. Shovel testing at 9CO92 found no new archaeological remains within the current project corridor. No further work is recommended at the reported location of 9CO92. Eligibility for the NRHP is recommended as unknown. Site 9CO730 represents the remains of what may have been a nineteenth century mill and possibly a more modern stone platform of some kind. The remains of the possible mill located in the ESC will not be impacted by the proposed construction. The smaller platform in the creek bed lacks integrity and does not contribute to the site's overall eligibility. The intact stone platform may retain integrity but will not be affected by the proposed project. Remains of the in situ platform are within the ESC and are potentially contributing to site eligibility under Criterion D, but since this feature is not in the area of potential effect, no further work is recommended at this time. Overall site eligibility for the NRHP is recommended as unknown. Clearance for construction within the investigated APE is recommended for all portions of the project area.