Between May and July 2014, Edwards‑Pitman Environmental, Inc. (EPEI) completed a Phase I archaeological and metal detector survey of four vacant lots, and a Phase II investigation of 11 archaeological sites, undertaken to mitigate impacts to the Pleasant Hill neighborhood caused by proposed Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) projects NHIM0‑0016‑01(092), NHIM0‑0016‑01(131), NHIM0‑0075‑02(177), and NH000‑0016‑01(104), P.I. Nos. 311000, 311005, 311400, and 311410 (collectively referred to as the I‑16/I‑75 interchange improvement project), within the City of Macon, Bibb County, Georgia. The proposed activities would consist of streetscape improvements where feasible (e.g., resurfacing, sidewalks, landscaping, new curbs, street lights, and limited signage), development of the proposed Jefferson Long Park, and the relocation of historic structures to vacant lots within the National Register listed Pleasant Hill Historic District.
Consulting engineering firm American Engineers, Inc. retained EPEI to conduct a Phase I survey in order to locate and evaluate archaeological resources within four vacant lots. Fieldwork occurred from May 27 to May 30, 2014, and involved visual inspection, systematic shovel testing, and systematic metal detecting. Survey resulted in the identification of two new archaeological sites (9BI227 and 9BI228), and the further investigation of two previously identified archaeological sites (9BI179 and 9BI183). Each lot was fully delineated and the site and loci boundaries were determined based upon the legally defined lot boundary. A summary of site components and eligibility recommendations is provided in the table below (Table 0.1).
American Engineers, Inc. also retained EPEI to conduct Phase II investigations of 11 archaeological sites, each of which were previously recommended as potentially eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) under Criterion D (Trudeau 2014). The Phase II investigations were designed to evaluate site data potential as it relates to NRHP eligibility and included fieldwork sufficient for a recommendation of eligible or ineligible for the NRHP. Fieldwork occurred from June 2 through July 17, 2014, and involved 1‑x‑1 meter and/or 1‑x‑2 meter test unit excavations at the 11 sites. The research design was informed by previous investigations and a thorough literature review of prior archaeological investigations at similar sites in Augusta, Georgia and Columbus, Georgia. The Phase II testing strategy was designed to further evaluate each site=s data potential by critically examining factors such as site preservation and occupational history. Phase II testing was subsequently undertaken at these 11 archaeological sites following consultation with GDOT. A total of 21 test units were excavated at the 11 archaeological sites, encompassing a total of 37 square meters. The Phase II testing indicates that most of the sites contain little to no subsurface integrity, whereas others, while containing subsurface cultural features and integrity, provide little additional potential for further research. A summary of site component and eligibility recommendations is provided in the table below (Table 0.2).
Taken in total, each of the sites investigated, both from the Phase I survey and the Phase II investigations, are recommended ineligible for the NRHP under Criterion D (Table 0.3).
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