Archeological Investigations of the Vulcan Tract, Bartow County, Georgia

Three phases of archeological investigation were conducted in a 673 acre tract owned by the Vulcan Materials Company by Southeastern Archeological Services, Inc. during the winter and spring of 1992. The archeological survey was requested by the Vulcan Materials Company for planning purposes relating to the proposed development of a granite quarry and rock processing facility. The survey tract is located in an upland tributary area adjacent to Allatoona Reservoir near Carters and McKaskey Creeks in southeastern Bartow County, Georgia. A reconnaissance survey conducted in January, which located both prehistoric and historic sites, indicated the need for a more thorough survey. An intensive archeological survey and limited testing was conducted from April 7-10. A total of 33 sites and 15 occurrences were identified during the two surveys. Prehistoric sites were dominated by unidentified lithic scatters. Identified components were represented by Early and Middle Archaic sites on the ridge crests and Early Archaic, Middle Archaic and Mississippian sites at lower elevations near the tributaries. Historic sites consisted primarily of mid-nineteenth to mid-twentieth century house sites and artifact scatters. One charcoal kiln, associated with the nineteenth century Etowah mining industry was also identified. Two of the sites were considered significant and preservation or excavation was recommended. Site 9BR770 is an historic house site with intact cultural deposits dating to the middle to late nineteenth century. Because site 9BR770 lies within a buffer area, preservation in place is recommended. Prehistoric site 9BR775 was a small undisturbed prehistoric lithic site. Because this site lay within an area of direct impact, site excavation was recommended. 9BR775 was excavated from April 27 to May 9, 1992. Excavated site 9BR775 was determined to be a warm weather residential base camp that was occupied during the cat 6000 B.C. Transitional Early/Middle Archaic, Kirk Stemmed Phase. Excavation produced evidence of a shelter with related pits and lithic activity areas. Seasonality was determined through examination of botanical remains found in several small pits. Microscopic use-wear analysis conducted on a sample of chipped stone and ground stone tools indicated that a diversity of activities were conducted at the site by it's inhabitants. The excavation of this site resulted in a revised model of Early/Middle Archaic site structure that may be applied to other upland lithic sites. In terms of cultural resource management, site 9BR770 is the only site within the tract which requires protection. As previously noted, this site lies within a buffer zone and should not be disturbed in the future. Further work or protection is not recommended for any additional cultural resources. The excavation of site 9BR775 has recovered the significant data present in that site. The remaining sites and occurrences are not considered significant resources and further work is not recommended.