An Archaeological Survey of Portions of Chattahoochee National Forest Tracts R-216 District 13 Traversed by Georgia Dot Project Eds 441 (14)

On May 18, 1988 an intensive archaeological survey was conducted along U.S. Forest Service Tracts R-165a and R-216 within the Chattahoochee National Forest, Habersham County, Georgia, in compliance with a United States Forest Service special use permit. Tract R-165a is located along U.S. 441 at the Panther Creek Recreational Area and Tract 216 is located along U.S. 441 approximately 0.75 miles to the north (Figure 1). Tracts R-165a and R-216 were examined by an extensive pedestrian survey and subsurface testing was conducted where appropriate. Field work was preceded by a literature search, GDOT Site Files were reviewed, and U.S.G.S topographic maps and aerial photography were examined. The background research and pertinent literature review indicated that no previously recorded significant cultural resources were located within or adjacent to the proposed project corridor. One site, designated 124K3A-8, is located approximately 4.5 miles east of the northern terminus of the proposed project. The site was located in 1984 by Robert Webb (Webb 1984) while conducting a transmission line survey for Oglethorpe Power Corporation between Tallulah Lodge and Helen. Site 124K3A-8 was characterized by Webb as being "a light prehistoric scatter.....appear(ing) to represent a small lithic processing station from an unknown prehistoric cultural period". Seven lithic artifacts were recovered from the ground surface at the site. Due to the sites disturbance (determined by Webb from shovel testing) and the lack of significant cultural materials or strata, Webb recommended full clearance of the site. An examination of topographic maps and aerial photography indicated that areas of high site probability were confined to the uplands adjacent to Big Panther Creek; however, this area has been extensively disturbed by logging, logging/service roads, hiking trails, erosion control contouring and by the Tallulah Railroad (the abandoned Tallulah Railroad bed bisects U.S. Forest Service Land Tracts R-165a and R-216 but is not under Forest Service ownership).