Between September 20 and October 5, 2006, Edwards-Pitman Environmental, Inc. (EPEI), under a contract with PBS&J Engineering, conducted Phase II archaeological testing at 9FY166 within the proposed Peachtree City Airport/Falcon Field Hangar Extension, Fayette County, Georgia. The site was identified during a March and April 2006 survey of an 85-acre tract identified as the Area of Potential Effects (APE) for the project. Site 9FY166 was recommended potentially eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) and further testing at the site was recommended due to the presence of a large, low density scatter of artifacts associated with Archaic and Woodland stage occupations.
The goal of the testing project was to evaluate the research potential of 9FY166. To this end, a series of shovel tests was excavated across the site at 1 0-meter (m) intervals to evaluate artifact density, search for intact archaeological deposits, and to define the boundaries of the site. Shovel testing revealed a low density of scatter of artifacts across an area measuring 270m north-south by 110m east-west. Four test units were excavated in areas where shovel testing revealed the densest concentrations of artifacts as well as intact soil stratigraphy. Three of these units measured 1 x 2m. The fourth began as a 1-x-2 m unit that was expanded into a 2-x-2 m unit due to the high density of artifact recovery. Artifacts recovered from these units were diagnostic of occupations associated with the Early, Middle, and Late Archaic, and Woodland/Mississippian stages.
Based on the results of Phase II testing, 9FY166 is recommended ineligible for the NRHP. The site yielded only isolated areas of moderate to high artifact density within intact soil horizons, a low diversity of artifact types, and few diagnostic artifacts in their original context. In addition, Phase II investigations indicated that the stratigraphic integrity over a substantial portion of the site has been compromised by disturbances during the historic era. For these reasons, the research potential of 9FY166 is low. It is recommended that the airport expansion project be allowed to proceed as planned within the APE.
Help us to continue to make advances in research, stewardship, and bringing the past to life. No matter the size of the gift, your contribution will directly support groundbreaking archaeological research through sustaining student and outreach programs, and technological innovations. To make a secure gift online to the Archaeology Lab Fund, CLICK HERE.