Edwards‑Pitman Environmental, Inc. (EPEI) conducted a Phase I archaeological survey for proposed traffic signal upgrades in Rockdale County, Georgia (Georgia Department of Transportation [GDOT] P.I. No. 0012673, HP No. 140909‑005) on September 11, 2014. The work was completed under a contract with Parsons Brinckerhoff (PB) through their Atlanta office. The proposed project calls for the upgrade of nine intersections dispersed throughout Rockdale County. 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 the project=s environs was conducted in order to establish a context by which site significance could be evaluated. A review of the Georgia Archaeological Site File (GASF) and Georgia=s Natural, Archaeological, and Historic Resources Geographic Information System (GNAHRGIS) indicated that eleven previously recorded archaeological sites are within a 1‑kilometer radius of the project area. Subsequent field investigation, which included pedestrian survey, systematic shovel testing, and metal detecting of historic archaeological resources, resulted in the revisit of two previously recorded archaeological sites: 9RO103 and 9RO126. Both of these sites date to the Historic period.
The Phase I survey 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 site 9RO103 is recommended not eligible for the NHRP due to previously being destroyed. Furthermore, the portion of 9RO126 within the survey area does not exhibit integrity or significant information potential; however, overall NRHP eligibility for this site is considered unknown because survey area limits prevented complete site delineation. Because no NRHP eligible archaeological sites were identified within the survey area, no adverse effects to NRHP eligible resources are anticipated 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.
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