New South Associates has completed a Phase I Archaeological Survey of Bridge 031-0011-0 at State Road (SR) 26 (U.S. 80) over Caney Branch in Bulloch County, Georgia. The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) plans to replace Bridge 031-0011-0, a non-historic, structurally deficient three-barrel box culvert. The work for this survey was completed pursuant to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (36 CFR 800) and was intended to determine the presence of significant archaeological resources in the project's Area of Potential Effect (APE) and Expanded Survey Corridor (ESC).
Based on information provided by ARCADIS, and to accommodate potential design requirements, the APE extended 500 feet (152m) beyond the ends of the existing bridge and 100 feet (30 m) from the centerline on each side of the road, which corresponds with the existing ROW. The APE thus measured I,032x200 feet (3 15x60 m). An additional 1 00-foot (30-m) expanded survey corridor (ESC) surrounding the APE was also covered by the survey.
As a result of this survey, one previously unidentified site (9BU130) was recorded. Site 9BU130 is a historic period artifact scatter located in the southwest quadrant of the project APE/ESC. Recovered artifacts from 9BU130 include items from the architecture, kitchen, personal, and miscellaneous functional categories. No diagnostic artifacts were recovered. Additionally, no evidence of intact subsurface feature was observed. Project scope limitations prevented a full delineation of the site beyond the ESC boundaries. The portion of the site identified within the APE and ESC is considered to lack significant data potential. However, because the site may extend outside of the ESC, the NRHP eligibility of the site as a whole cannot be evaluated. In order to protect unknown portions of the site from proposed project activities, the establishment of an Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA) is recommended.
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.