Remote Sensing and Further Testing at Site 9CH1205, Chatham County, Georgia Project NH-111-1(24), PI #522870

From June 15-17, 2009, staff archaeologists from the Georgia Department of Transportation (Goon conducted remote sensing investigations at archaeological site 9CH1205 in Chatham County, Georgia. These investigations included survey with ground penetrating radar (GPR) and magnetic gradiometer. These surveys were done to further investigate the site's potential for intact features and its consideration for preservation in place. This testing was deemed necessary due to the proposal to use the property on which the site sits in the improvement of the intersection at State Route (SR) 204 and King George Boulevard [GDOT Project NH-111-1(24), PI #522870]. The original survey of this project and testing of this site was done by Edwards Pitman Environmental, Inc. and was reported in April of 2009 (Quirk and Silliman 2009). Five 20x20 meter grids were surveyed with both pieces of equipment; these grids complement the remote sensing investigations done previously by GDOT during testing by Edwards-Pitman in February of 2009.

Further testing in June also included work done by Garrett Silliman of Edwards-Pitman. Silliman performed a metal detector survey of selected areas at the outskirts of the previously reported site boundary, in order to assess the potential of the Civil War component at 9CH1205. Several transects were surveyed and artifacts were recovered. Site 9CH1205 was also visited by two arborists, Dennis Goldbaugh from Chatham County's Department of Public Works and Daniel Westcot from the Georgia Forestry Commission. Both investigated numerous live oak trees on the property of the site and provided information regarding the relative health and possible estimated age of the trees. This information had been deemed important to considerations of landscape in relation to Site 9CH1205, which includes a component indicative of a colonial plantation dating to the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Finally, additional shovel testing was done by GDOT personnel on the Trellis property in July of 2009. These shovel tests were placed relative to the locations of soil test boring holes, which investigated the feasibility of using the matrix of the property in fill for the project and the chosen locations as possible borrow pit/storm retention ponds. No artifactual materials or features were located during this shovel testing. The boring activity was allowed to proceed and was then closely monitored by the project manager.