Phase I Archaeological Survey of the Proposed SR 204/Abercorn Extension Improvements from US 17 to Rio Road and from Rio Road to Truman Parkway Phase V, and Phase II Archaeological Testing of 9CH1205, Chatham County, Georgia

During May and June 2008, Edwards-Pitman Environmental, Inc. (EPEI) conducted a Phase I archaeological survey of the proposed location for the State Route (SR) 204/ Abercom Extension Improvements project corridor. Following consultation with the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), Phase II archaeological testing was performed at one of the newly recorded sites, 9CH1205, in February 2009, to further evaluate its National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) eligibility. The results of both of these investigations are discussed in this report. The project was conducted for GDOT under a contract with McGee Partners, Inc.

The survey area is divided into two sections consisting of widening and reconstruction along SR 204/Abercom Extension from United States (US) 17 to Rio Road, and from Rio Road to the terminus of the Truman Parkway Phase V project corridor near Wilshire Boulevard. The project length is approximately 6.9 miles in Chatham County, Georgia. The existing right-of-way (ROW) varies from 130-400 feet (ft). The proposed ROW would vary from 130-450 ft. The goal of the survey was to locate and evaluate archaeological sites within the Area of Potential Effect (APE) of the proposed undertaking, so that potential effects to any resources identified could be evaluated in accordance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. A small section of the survey area from US 17 to Rio Road is within the boundaries of Hunter Army Airfield. An Archaeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA) Permit (No. DACA21-4-08-8265) was obtained from the Department of the Army (Appendix D) for the survey on Federal property.

Following the completion of the Phase I survey, the APE was redesigned. The project was revised to limit improvements along SR 204 from Pine Grove Road to Veterans Parkway. No basic lanes will be added to SR 204. Improvements will include a grade separated interchange at King George Boulevard, allowing for continuous, limited access travel on SR 204 over King George Boulevard. Auxiliary lanes will be constructed along SR 204 within the project limits as required to provide safe and efficient traffic operations.

A review of the Georgia Archaeological Site Files (GASF) at the University of Georgia in Athens showed there are two previously identified archaeological sites, 9CH869 and 9CH972, within the APE of the original survey area. These sites are located in a wooded tract on the north side of Abercom Extension across the street from the main campus of Armstrong Atlantic State University. Site 9CH869 is a Civil War earthwork and a prehistoric Woodland ceramic and lithic scatter. The earthwork was truncated by the previous construction of Abercom Extension, and approximately half of the feature remains intact. Site 9CH972 is a Civil War earthwork and prehistoric Middle to Late Woodland ceramic and lithic scatter. The earthwork associated with this site is intact; however, it is outside the current APE.

During the course of the survey, four previously unrecorded archaeological sites, 9CH1203-9CH1206, were identified. Site 9CH1203 is a nineteenth through twentieth century historic and nondiagnostic prehistoric scatter adjacent to Grove Point Road. A sparse nineteenth through twentieth century historic scatter, 9CH1204, was identified adjacent to the CSX railroad, where it crosses under SR 204. Site 9CH1205 is a large eighteenth through nineteenth century domestic site northwest of the intersection of SR 204 and King George Boulevard. Additional documentary and field research indicates that elements of the Federal 151h Army Corps (AC) were encamped in the area of 9CH1205 in December 1864. A small Mississippian ceramic scatter, 9CH1206, was identified on the portion of the APE within the boundaries of Hunter Army Airfield.

Sites 9CH1203, 9CH1204, and 9CH1206 are of unknown NRHP eligibility as their boundaries have not been fully defined within the APE. However, the portions of these sites within the APE do not contribute to their overall eligibility. No additional archaeological investigations are recommended for these three sites within the APE as defined in this document. Sites 9CH869, 9CH972, and 9CH1205 are recommended potentially eligible for the NRHP.

Phase II Testing was recommended for the portions of these three sites within the APE following the completion of EPEI's survey. For 9CH869, it was recommended that the site be subjected to systematic metal detector investigations and that a detailed map should be constructed of the remains of the Civil War earthwork using a total station. At 9CH972, metal detector investigations were recommended to search for Civil War artifacts, and two 1-x-2 m test units were recommended to examine the prehistoric component. Metal detector investigations and the excavation of eight 1-x-2 m test units were recommended for the Phase II investigation of 9CH1205. As the redesigned project will not impact the archaeological deposits at 9CH972 and 9CH869, Phase II testing was not conducted at these two locations. Site 9CH1205 would be impacted under the current design, and Phase II investigations were undertaken in February 2009 .

Phase II Testing at 9CH1205 consisted of the excavation of ten 1-x-2 m test units and a systematic metal detector survey of a portion of the site. Two additional 1-x-1 m units were excavated to further expose features discovered in the 1-x-2 m units. In addition, geophysical studies were conducted by GDOT archaeologists. Three 20-x-20 m grids were investigated in the southeastern portion of the site where concentrations of architectural artifacts had been recovered during the survey. The geophysical studies included ground penetrating radar (GPR) and magnetometer investigations. As a result of this work, seven historic features were identified during the Phase II investigation.

Based on the results of Phase II investigations, 9CH1205 is recommended eligible for the NRHP under Criteria A and D. Artifact data from the survey and testing phases, coupled with documentary research indicates that the historic occupation dates from the late eighteenth through the mid-nineteenth century. This assessment is based on the types of glass, metal, and ceramic artifacts recovered, and is supported by documentary research. A second short-term occupation of the area during the Civil War is supported by the recovery of military hardware and clothing items likely associated with the Federal 151h AC's occupation of the site in December 1864. Because intact cultural deposits have been identified at the site, including feature contexts, significant research questions could be addressed by both data sets that could contribute greatly to our knowledge of these regional occupations. Additionally, given the Civil War occupation of the site and its specific relation to the 1864 Savannah Campaign, the site is also associated with broader patterns of national history.