During October and November 2014, Brockington and Associates, Inc. (Brockington) completed a background literature review and Phase I archaeological survey for the proposed Murray County sewer lift station and wet well, and the Engineered Floors facility construction in Murray County, Georgia. This project was completed in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (as amended through 2000), and all studies were conducted by personnel qualified under the Secretary of the Interior=s Professional Qualification Standards (36 CFR Part 61‑Standards and Guidelines for Archaeology and Historic Preservation). In addition, Brockington complied with the Georgia Standards and Guidelines for Archaeological Surveys (as revised 2014). This report summarizes archaeological resources survey methods, results, and recommendations related to the investigation of the Area of Potential Effects (APE). For this project the APE is defined as the approximately 60‑acre tract.
Due to nearby historic resources (McAuliff 2014), the proximity of the Old Federal Road, and freshwater resources, the project area was classified as an area of Moderate to High Probability for the presence of archaeological resources. Field investigations, including intensive surface and subsurface inspections, were conducted to determine if significant archaeological resources exist within the APE.
Brockington identified eight isolated finds and one site (9MU182) within the tract. Site 9MU182, and four of the isolated finds, are composed of historic artifacts. All five of these archaeological occurrences likely represent a low density artifact scatter associated with outbuildings related to the old Summerour house. This house formerly stood just north of the project area near the intersection of Hwy 411 and Cohutta Springs Rd. The remaining four isolated finds are composed of prehistoric artifacts of unknown cultural affiliation. We recommend that the nine archaeological resources identified during this survey are not eligible for listing in National Register of Historic Places (NRHP).
Brockington and Associates, Inc. also identified four historic cemeteries in close proximity (<150‑meters [m]) to the APE. These include the Summerour family cemetery, the Old Summerour Cemetery, the Summerour Methodist Cemetery, and the Stafford family cemetery. A modern cemetery, the graveyard of the Amazing Grace Baptist Church, is also near the project tract.
Given the intensive coverage of the Phase I survey and the presence of highly deflated soils within the project tract, if yet‑undiscovered sites remain within the project area, they would likely be small (<30 m) and/or disturbed artifact scatters, representing temporary or ephemeral use of the landscape. Such resources would likely be ineligible for the NRHP if they existed and would not require management under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. We recommend that the undertaking by Murray County and Engineered Floors be allowed to proceed as planned and that no further management of the identified archaeological resources is necessary.
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