Additional Survey and Phase II Testing of Six Sites, West Ringgold-Center Point Transmission Line Project, Catoosa and Whitfield Counties, Georgia

TRC Garrow Associates, Inc., was contracted by TV A to conduct additional Phase I survey and Phase II testing of six sites for the West Ringgold-Center Point transmission line in Catoosa and Whitfield counties, Georgia. During the summer of 2000, TRC conducted an archaeological survey of the transmission line corridor as initially planned, which was approximately 18 miles long. Since that survey, three short sections of the line, measuring roughly 8,700 feet, have been realigned, and required systematic shovel testing. One site (9WD130) was identified during that fieldwork. In addition, at the time of the original survey, TRC did not have permission from one landowner to shovel test his property where an archaeological site, 9CT85, was observed on the surface of a plowed field. Shovel testing of that site was accomplished during the present fieldwork, and that site was recommended as potentially eligible for the NRHP.

Phase II archaeological testing of six sites in Catoosa and Whitfield counties (9WD119, 9WD122, 9WD123, 9CT16, 9CT85, and 9CT86) was subsequently undertaken. These sites were located during the original survey, and plans called for construction of structures or towers, which would destroy small portions of each site. For this reason, 1-x-1-m (or 1-x-2-m) test units were excavated in these staked structure locations to mitigate for the partial destruction of the archaeological resource.

Fieldwork was carried out December 11-22, 2000. Based on the work completed during the project, TRC is unable to recommend any of the sites tested, which included 9WD119, 9WD122, 9WD123, 9CT16, 9CT85, and 9CT86, as eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). At this point, they are described as of indeterminate eligibility status due to the limited amount of excavation conducted at each site. Site 9WD 130, identified during the additional survey of the transmission line, is recommended as potentially eligible for the NRHP. TRC recommends that the site be preserved in place.