Phase I Archaeological Survey for the Proposed SR 83 over the Towaliga River Bridge Replacement, Monroe County, Georgia

On October 15th and 16th, 2014, Edwards-Pitman Environmental, Inc. (EPEI) conducted a Phase I archaeological survey of the proposed State Route (SR) 83 over the Towaliga River bridge replacement in Monroe County, Georgia (Georgia Department of Transportation [GDOT] Project No. CSBRG-0007-00(046), P.I. No. 0007046, HP No. 140930-004). The proposed project would consist of replacing the existing bridge with one of sufficient width to meet the requirements and guidelines for load capacity. The area of potential effect (APE) and an expanded survey corridor (ESC) were established based on plans received on October 8th, 2014. The APE includes the maximum amount of required and proposed right-of-way (ROW) indicated in plans received from HNTB Corporation (HNTB). Initially, the APE measured 245 feet (75 meters) in width and 2,830 feet (860 meters) long. EPEI archaeology staff also surveyed a 100-foot (30-meter) ESC in accordance with GDOT’s Environmental Procedures Manual (EPM). The concept layout was revised to limit proposed ROW to the area east of SR 83 in order to avoid a historic cemetery delineated during the archaeology survey. A revised concept was received from HNTB on January 6th, 2015. The APE now measures 100-240 feet (30-73 meters) wide and remains 2,830 feet (860 meters) long. The revised APE appears in graphics and original ESC depicts the extent of archaeological survey coverage. The combined APE and ESC will hereafter be referred to as the survey area.

Prior to the commencement of fieldwork, a review of the Georgia Archaeological Site File (GASF) and Georgia’s Natural, Archaeological, and Historic Resources Geographic Information System (GNAHRGIS) database was completed. These data indicated that no previously identified archaeological sites have been located in the survey area of the current study. In addition, no previously recorded sites have been located within 1 kilometer of the survey area. Fieldwork included visual inspection, systematic and judgmental shovel testing, and metal detection.

The current survey resulted in the identification of one historic cemetery, 9MO566, and two Historic period archaeological sites, 9MO567 and 9MO568.

The Carleton-Bull Cemetery, recorded as 9MO566, is located 55 meters southwest of the extant bridge of SR 83 over the Towaliga River. There are five fairly evident interments located on the high ground of a 40 by 30 meter knoll. The dates of interment listed on markers at the site range from 1846 to 1853. In addition, because revised concept plans indicate the cemetery is now in the ESC for the planned bridge replacement, there will be no potential adverse effect to the resource with the designation of an environmentally sensitive area (ESA). Since the cemetery is being avoided, it was not assessed, and remains unknown under Criterion D. The cemetery was recommended as eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) under Criterion A by HNTB (2015) for association with early white settlement in Monroe County. The proposed boundary for the resource is 30 feet wide and 50 feet long.

Site 9MO567 is an earthen berm and concrete structural support feature related to the pre-1957 crossing of SR 83 at the Towaliga River. The bridge support is located within the western limit of the ESC, 50 meters west of the southern support of the current SR 83 bridge. The portion of the site in the survey area does not possess significant research potential and there will be no adverse effect. A portion of the support structure is located beyond the current survey area and therefore 9MO567’s NRHP eligibility must remain unknown under Criterion D as it is not defined along its western side.

Site 9MO568 is a late nineteenth through early twentieth century house site that includes an artifact scatter, an open, hand-dug well, and a historic rockpile. The site is located on the east side of SR 83 in both the APE and ESC near the northern limit of the survey area. The date of the well and rockpile is unknown, but each is located near the end of an old access road which is visible in a mid-twentieth century aerial photograph. The portion of the site within the survey area has experienced both the detrimental effects of cultivation/erosion, and additional modern disturbances and therefore has suffered a loss of integrity over most of the site. The site overall does not possess significant research potential and there is no potential adverse effect to the resource within the survey area. The site could not be fully delineated beyond the eastern limit of the survey area. Therefore the NRHP eligibility of 9MO568 must remain unknown as it is not defined along its eastern side.

The establishment of ESAs via orange barrier fencing is recommended for archaeological and historic resources with unknown NRHP eligibility. ESAs will help prevent adverse effects to the portions of the above resources which extend beyond the survey area.