Phase I Archaeological Survey of the Proposed Waycross East Bypass from US 84/SR 38 to US 1/US 23/SR 4, Pierce and Ware Counties, Georgia

Edwards‑Pitman Environmental, Inc. (EPEI) conducted a Phase I archaeological survey for the proposed Waycross East Bypass in Pierce and Walton counties, Georgia (Georgia Department of Transportation [GDOT] Project No. STP00‑0002‑00[871], P.I. No. 0002871, HP No. 140930‑001) between June 30 and July 31, 2014. The work was completed under a contract with Infrastructure Corporation of America (ICA) Engineering, through their Columbia, South Carolina office. The proposed project calls for a 5.2 mile (8.37 kilometer) bypass around the eastern side of the City of Waycross. This report presents a record of the Phase I investigation, which was conducted in order to locate and evaluate archaeological resources potentially affected by the project.

Prior to fieldwork, background research into the archaeology and history of southeastern Georgia was conducted in order to establish a context by which site significance could be evaluated. A review of available information in the Georgia Archaeological Site File (GASF) revealed 12 previously recorded sites within 1 kilometer of the survey area, with predominantly Woodland, Historic, and unknown precontact components. Subsequent field investigation, which included pedestrian survey, systematic shovel testing, and metal detecting of historic archaeological resources, resulted in the identification of six newly‑recorded archaeological sites: 9PR21, 9PR22, 9PR23, 9PR24, 9WE112, 9WE113. Historic, twentieth century components are predominant at 9PR21, 9WE112, and 9WE113, while 9PR22, 9PR23, and 9PR24 yielded evidence of precontact occupation dating to unknown period(s). Five Isolated Finds (IFs), three historic and two precontact, were also recorded.

The Phase I included an evaluation of each site=s information potential and integrity as it relates to eligibility for listing on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). Archaeological sites 9PR22, 9PR23, and 9WE112 are recommended not eligible for the NRHP due to lack of integrity and failure to satisfy NPS criteria for significance. Additionally, the portions of 9PR21, 9PR24, and 9WE113 within the survey area do not exhibit integrity or significant information potential; however, overall NRHP eligibility for each of these is considered unknown because survey area limits prevented complete site delineation. Because no NRHP eligible archaeological sites were identified within the project APE, no adverse effects to NRHP eligible archaeological resources are anticipated as a result from the Waycross East Bypass project, and no further investigation is presently recommended. However, any modification to the design of the project may require additional archaeological survey to ensure that no unknown NRHP eligible resources are impacted by project development.