Statement of National Register Eligibility for Archaeological Site 9WG(DOT)21, Washington County, Georgia

Site 9WG(DOT)21 was located on February 11, 2009 during an archaeological survey for Georgia Department of Transportation project STP-0007-00(415), Washington County. The proposed project would improve the intersection of SR 242 and Waco Mill Road and South Hospital Road. Site 9WG(DOT)21 was located within the proposed project's area of potential effect (APE).

Site 9WG(DOT)21 was located during a surface survey of a recently graded tract of land located just south of the intersection of SR 242 and East Church Street. This tract of land had been recently cleared, graded, and filled. The area is surrounded by industrial development and it appears the land is being prepared for additional industrial development. Due to the fact that the Area of Potential Effects (APE) was graded down to subsoil and there was 100% surface visibility, a pedestrian survey was conducted.

Surface survey at 9WG(DOT)21 revealed low density mid-19th to late 20th century artifacts. The site is approximately 60 m x 60 m in size. A surface survey of the APE was conducted at approximately 5 meter transects. All artifacts were collected with exception of a modem 3-hole type brick. Surface survey yielded 1 cut nail, 8 whiteware fragments, 1 clear bottle glass fragment, and 1 amber glass fragment. Despite the presence of the red sandy clay loam subsoil on the surface, a single shovel test was excavated in the center of the site boundary. The shovel test was negative for artifacts and confirmed the fact that the area had been graded down to subsoil. A Class 2 building symbol is depicted on the 1962 USGS quadrangle map at this location. The Class 2 symbol used on the USGS map is an open square which is not used for primary residence, but more commonly used for outbuildings. Although the artifact assemblage is small, the collection is dominated by domestic artifacts such as tableware and container glass. It is possible that the home was abandoned at the time the USGS map was made, thus given the Class 2 building symbol. One of the whiteware fragments has a red transfer print design. Red transfer print whiteware has a median popularity date of 1835. The presence of a cut nail also suggests a pre-1890 date for the site. The only definitive 20th century artifact observed was the 3-hole type brick. Given the age of artifacts and the depiction on a 1962 USGS quadrangle map, site 9WG(DOT)21 has a date range of mid-19th century to late 20th century.

Site 9WG(DOT)21 was evaluated for eligibility for listing on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) under Criterion D, information potential. According to National Register Bulletin 15, a site may be eligible for the NRHP if it has yielded, or may be likely to yield, information important in history or prehistory. Based on the disturbed context of site 9WG(DOT)21 as a result of the modem land clearing activities, it is concluded that the site is not likely to yield important information regarding research questions associated with house sites dating to the mid-19 through late 20th century. According to "Historical Archaeology in Georgia", GARD Paper No. 14, evaluation of a historic site's eligibility for the NRHP must include an assessment of integrity of space, time, and occupation. Due to the severely disturbed context of the archaeological deposits at 9WG(DOT)21, the site lacks integrity of space, time, and occupation. As a result of the lack of integrity, none of the recommended research questions proposed in GARD Paper No. 14 can be addressed at 9WG(DOT)21. Site 9WG(DOT)21 is recommended not eligible for the NRHP.