Phase I and II Archaeological Investigations Effingham County SR 119 Middle School, Springfield, Georgia

Greenhouse Consultants incorporated was retained by Cushman Enterprises, LLC to undertake both Phase I and Phase II archaeological investigations for the proposed Effingham County State Road 119 Middle School in Springfield, Georgia (Figure 1). Phase I fieldwork was undertaken August 1 through 4, 2007 and located four artifact clusters interpreted as historic residences or farm units within the project area parcel (Price 2007). As a result of that stage of fieldwork Phase II archaeological testing was recommended at each of the four sites, consisting of systematic shovel tests to define site boundaries, and if necessary a limited number of test excavations to determine the integrity and research potential for the four sites.

Phase II fieldwork was conducted October from 1 through 5, 2007 with a crew of three field technicians under the direction of senior staff archaeologists George Price, RPA, who served as Principal Investigator and author. Four archeological sites were recorded and evaluated during the Phase II investigations. These are interpreted as late nineteenth to mid twentieth century residential or farm‑related structures. The boundaries of the four sites extend beyond the limits of the project area and thus, only a portion of these sites were accessible for evaluation. Since National Register criteria applies to sites, not portions of sites, our evaluations are applicable only for that portion of the sites with the project area and a complete evaluation of the sites cannot be made within the context of this project. However, it is our opinion that the portions of the four sites that exists within the project area have been severely impacted by mechanical process associated with both road construction and pine tree cultivation. Thus, for reasons cited, we do not recommend any further archaeological investigations.