New South Associates conducted a Phase I Archaeological Survey of Segments 1, 3, and 5 for the proposed Atlanta Gas Light (AGL) East Beltline Project. The investigation was undertaken on behalf of Jacobs Engineering for AGL prior to the proposed pipeline improvements. The goal of the survey was to locate archaeological sites within the corridor and assess these sites for National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) eligibility. The total length of the three proposed segments is 16.2 miles (26.1 kilometers). Segment 1 is located in Clayton County and runs 2.4 miles (3.9 kilometers). Segment 3 is in Clayton, Fulton, and DeKalb counties and is 8.9 miles (14.3 kilometers) long. Segment 5 is in DeKalb County and measures 4.9 miles (7.9 kilometers). The majority of the corridor follows existing pipeline right-of-way or transmission line corridors. Portions of the segments traverse areas that have been heavily developed for commercial and residential purposes.
The survey resulted in the identification of one previously recorded prehistoric site (9DA360), two newly recorded sites (Site 9DA458 and Site 9DA459), and two isolated finds. Sites 9DA360 and 9DA458 were prehistoric soapstone quarry sites. Neither site possessed intact remains within the project corridor and no further work was recommended. Site 9DA459 is a historic and prehistoric site. A Civil War artifact was recovered at the site and subsequent historic research indicated that Union cavalry soldiers once camped in the vicinity. Phase II Testing was thus conducted on the site to assess the NRHP eligibility. The testing uncovered artifacts from a Civil War campsite and a later historic occupation, but the integrity of the site was poor and artifact deposits were sparse. No further work is recommended on the portion of the site within the project corridor. All three sites encountered during the survey do appear to extend outside of the surveyed corridor. Areas outside of the right-of-way (ROW) have not been assessed. If these areas will be impacted by construction or used as staging areas it will be necessary to conduct testing on them.
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