The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) proposes to replace the existing fender system that helps guide the boats underneath the State Road 26 (SR 26)/US 80 Bridge at Bull River, Chatham County, Georgia. The current project intended to identify the presence or absence of submerged cultural resources along the existing fender system, located underneath the SR 26/US 80 Bridge. The Area of Potential Effect (APE) included both extant fender systems as well as a 1 00-foot Expanded Survey Corridor (ESC) around each fender. Field investigations included a non-intrusive marine remote-sensing survey and diver investigation to identify any potentially significant submerged cultural resources associated with the SR 26/US 80 Bridge. SEARCH conducted the marine remote-sensing survey utilizing an Edgetech 4125 side-scan sonar integrated with a Trimble DSM-232 Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) providing sub-meter accuracy for the location (or relocation) of any anomaly. Following the remote-sensing survey, SEARCH employed archaeological divers, using surface-supplied air (SSA) diving equipment, to systematically hydro-probe around the existing fender system, the APE, and the ESC to confirm the presence or absence of potentially significant submerged cultural resources.
Help us to continue to make advances in research, stewardship, and bringing the past to life. No matter the size of the gift, your contribution will directly support groundbreaking archaeological research through sustaining student and outreach programs, and technological innovations. To make a secure gift online to the Archaeology Lab Fund, CLICK HERE.