Phase I Archaeological Survey of the Proposed Improvements to the SR 120/Dallas Highway Project Corridor, Cobb County, Georgia

During August and September 2010, Edwards-Pitman Environmental, Inc. (EPEI) conducted a Phase I archaeological survey for the proposed improvements to State Route (SR) 120/Dallas Highway in Cobb County, Georgia. The proposed project (Georgia Department of Transportation [GDOT] Project No. CM000-0004-00[508], P.I. No. 0004508) would construct pedestrian improvements along the south side of SR 120/Dallas Highway from Casteel Road to Villa Rica Way for a distance of approximately 2.5 miles. The existing right-of-way (ROW) varies from 145 to 180 feet along SR 120/Dallas Highway within the project area. The proposed pedestrian improvements also include streetscaping, which includes major landscaping adjacent to electrical transmission poles on the north and south sides of the road, as well as minor landscaping along the proposed trail. The proposed ROW along SR 120/Dallas Highway within the project area would vary from approximately 145 feet to 210 feet. The project was conducted for the GDOT under a contract with ARCADIS, Inc.

The purpose of the survey was to locate, identify, and evaluate any archaeological properties in the area of potential effect (APE) of the proposed undertaking in order to evaluate their eligibility or potential eligibility for inclusion to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). Additionally, as this undertaking represents a new contract with ARCADIS, a 100-foot expanded survey corridor (ESC) was surveyed beyond all APE per current GDOT guidelines.

A review of the Georgia Archaeological Site File (GASF) at the University of Georgia in Athens showed that no previously recorded archaeological sites are located within the APE, and four sites have been recorded in the project ESC; however, all four sites have been destroyed by recent development. An additional three previously recorded archaeological sites are located within a 1- kilometer radius of the APE.

During the current investigation, one site, 9CO726, was identifi ed. Site 9CO726 was located in the ESC of the study corridor and consists of a Civil War artifact scatter, which was identifi ed through metal detection. Additional shovel testing was conducted in this area and no further artifacts or cultural features were identifi ed. Due to the shallow soils and lack of features, as well as the low density of artifacts recovered, the portion of the site in the ESC does not contribute to its overall eligibiity for the NRHP, which is unknown. Construction clearance is recommended in all portions of the APE and ESC.