Additional Phase I Archaeological Survey of Cleveland West Bypass, White County, Georgia

On June 14, 2011, Edwards-Pitman Environmental, Inc. (EPEI) conducted additional Phase I archaeological survey for two new areas of expanded easement along the proposed Cleveland West Bypass in White County, Georgia. The two expanded easement areas surveyed by EPEI for this additional survey are located on the western side of the bypass, and on the southern terminus of the proposed project. The western area of expanded easement, Survey Area 1, is a 200 foot wide corridor near the Tesnatee Gap Valley Road/ State Route (SR) 115 intersection. Survey Area 2 is located near the southern terminus of the proposed bypass and is situated at the Hope Drive/SR 11 intersection, and is bounded to the south by Warehouse Drive, Hope Drive to the north, SR 11 to the east, and extending approximately 200 feet west from Bonita Drive.

A review of the Georgia Archaeological Site File at the University of Georgia, in Athens, showed that one previously identified archaeological site (9WH126) has been recorded within a 1-kilometer radius of the two survey areas. According to the original site form, this site was recorded as a pre-contact lithic scatter that dates to some time in the Woodland period, based on the presence of a Yadkin projectile point. Site 9WH126 is located approximately 900 meters north-northwest of Survey Area 1 at the intersection of Hunt and Simms roads. This site was discovered by Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) archaeologists in 1999 during the original survey of the bypass corridor. At the time of its discovery, the site had been almost totally destroyed by clear cutting and it was recommended ineligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP).

One new archaeological site, 9WH162, was discovered during the current study. This site is defined as a prehistoric ceramic scatter. Delineation of the north and east sides of the site was accomplished by the excavation of two consecutive negative shovel tests excavated at 15-meter intervals. The south side of 9WH162 was defined using negative findings from Luke Erickson’s 2004 survey, as well as negative findings from Rick Richardson’s 1999 survey of the bypass corridor.

Neither of these surveys found any cultural remains immediately south of the site, allowing the southern boundary to be defined. The western side of the site was defined through a combination of shovel tests and intensive visual inspection of the unpaved Hunt Road. On this side of the site, shovel tests were excavated at a 15-meter interval, but not at a 30-meter interval due to the presence of Hunt Road. As Hunt Road is a dirt road and not paved, the exposed roadbed was subjected to intensive pedestrian survey in lieu of shovel testing. No cultural remains were found in the roadbed and these negative findings were used to define fully the west side. Due to a lack of culturally diagnostic artifacts and severe subsurface disturbances related to agricultural activities that have compromised site integrity, 9WH162 is recommended ineligible for the NRHP and no further work at the site is required.

Based on the results of this additional survey, EPEI recommends that construction activities within the two areas of expanded easement be allowed to proceed as currently designed as it will have no effect on archaeological resources eligible for the NRHP.