Phase I Archaeological Survey of 120 Acres in Training Areas 1 and 23

New South Associates conducted a Phase I Archaeological Survey of approximately 120 acres in Training Areas 1 (74 ac.) and 23 (46 ac.) at Fort Gordon, Augusta, Georgia. This survey was conducted as part of the implementation of the Integrated Cultural Resource Management Plan (ICRMP) and is in compliance with the Programmatic Agreement (PA) between Fort Gordon, the Georgia State Historic Preservation Officer, and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. The objectives of the survey were to identify all archaeological resources within the project areas, make recommendations regarding their eligibility to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), and assess potential effects on these resources for military use of the areas. This information will be used for consultation under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended. This project complies with all provisions set forth in the Statement of Work (SOW) (W912HN-12-D-0016) for this task order. This report details the findings of the Phase I survey, outlines the recommendations regarding NRHP eligibility, and discusses potential impacts to discovered resources.

The survey resulted in the discovery of three archaeological sites and two isolated finds. Site 9RI1147 is a low-density historic artifact scatter located in the northeast corner of TA 23. Though some intact stratigraphic context was present at the site, the broad date range and extremely low density of cultural material suggests a low potential to yield information important to the history of the area. Site 9RI1148 is a late nineteenth to early twentieth-century razed house site located on the west side of Bath Road in TA 23. There are many sites like this on Fort Gordon. Although the artifacts from the site exhibit a relatively tight date range, and the historic inhabitants of the former residence are known, the relatively high degree of disturbance to the general area and paucity of intact structural and subsurface features suggests a low potential for the site to yield information important to the history of the area. Therefore, 9RI1148 is recommended as not eligible for the NRHP. Site 9RI1149 is a surface scatter of bricks with mortar, cinder block fragments, and an iron drain cover/grate located on the east side of TA 1, at the terminal end of rainwater diversion trench. Site 9RI1149 is recommended not eligible for the NRHP due to the lack of intact archaeological context and because it is unlikely that the dumped rubble will yield information important to the history of the area.

Isolated Find 1 is a single piece of whiteware recovered from the field road that demarcates the west side of the TA 23 project area. Isolated Find 2 is a crimped can top excavated in a shovel test in TA 1. An isolated find does not meet the requirements to be defined as an archaeological site and is therefore not considered eligible for listing on the NRHP.