Phase I and II Archaeological Investigations at the Weyerhaeuser/Flint River Tract GDOT Project NH-164-1 (24); P.l. No. 721480

This report presents a summary of the Phase I and II archaeological investigations conducted across the Weyerhaeuser/Flint River tract located northwest of the confluence of the Flint River and Potato Creek in Upson County, Georgia. URS Corporation (URS) conducted this work for the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) in anticipation of the use of this land for wetland mitigation and in order to satisfy requirements of Section I 06 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (as amended). This project area lies on the Flint River approximately l0 miles south of the city of Thomaston. The parcel that forms the project area totals l,350 acres. A variety of terrain is present within this parcel, including heavily dissected upland settings, as well as low-lying floodplains located along the left bank of the Flint River. State site fi les documented one previously recorded archaeological site on the property prior to the URS study (and one directly adjacent to it).

The Phase I and II field investigations for this project involved both surface reconnaissance and subsurface survey and testing work. Fieldwork was conducted from July to September 2006 and again in March and July 2009. As a prelude to fieldwork in 2006, the area was subdivided into zones considered to have high, moderate, or low probability for the presence of archaeological sites. Testing was designed to sample approximately 13% of the total project area. Most of the upland area was determined to have low probability for the preservation of archaeological sites, given factors of slope and heavy disturbance from destructive land-use patterns. Flat benches, saddles, and the termini of upland ridges overlooking the floodplain were considered to have moderate probability for archaeological sites. Field investigations did reveal archaeological sites in these settings, though they exhibited compromised depositional contexts.

Floodplain areas were considered to have moderate to high probability for the location of sites, especially in areas where upland drainages descended to enter the Flint River. Most of the field investigations were conducted within the floodplain parcels located along Potato Creek and the Flint River. The project area was found to contain a rich repertoire of archaeological sites. This work documented the presence of eleven newly recorded sites within the project area, in addition to the one previously recorded site (9UP74). The Phase 1 and 11 surveys for the Weyerhaeuser tract have added important information on depositional processes on the floodplains of the Flint River and Potato Creek. The surveys have also added site data to assess cultural chronology and settlement patterns, as well as information on lithic procurement.

URS has investigated a total of twelve archaeological sites associated with the Weyerhaeuser/Flint River tract. Eight of the sites do not appear to retain sufficient integrity or research potential to be eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP): 9UP89, 9UP92, 9UP93, 9UP95, 9UP96, 9UP97, 9UP 108, and 9UP109. The remaining four sites appear to be eligible for the NRHP: 9UP74, 9UP90, 9UP91, and 9UP94 (Locus 1). These four eligible sites are all located in floodplain settings where alluvial deposition has preserved cultural features and artifact deposits. URS recommends that these four sites be protected from future impacts, and if avoidance is not possible, additional archaeological investigations may be needed as a mitigation measure.