Old Clinton Historical Society Park Property: Archaeological Reconnaissance Comments

On 18 March 1983, I traveled to Clinton, Georgia for the purpose of examining archaeologically the property donated by the Georgia Department of Transportation to the Old Clinton Historical Society. The donation is to be developed as a park. A concern for cultural resources on the property was generated by a meeting with Lane Greene, consulting architect to the Society, and Brad Smith, preservation architect of the Historic Preservation Section. Development plans for the property were discussed giving an idea of the sources and scale of impact involved. Proposed were vehicular access with a small parking lot, some picnic tables, and a trail to the nearby spring.

Historic research conducted by Bill Cawthorn indicated that this property had not been used during Clinton's development. My concern for cultural resources on the property were for those of prehistoric origin. The proximity of the property, which has a number of boulders scattered over it, to the spring indicated a potential for prehistoric occupation.

I conducted a pedestrian reconnaissance of the property for about two hours. Eighteen subsurface shovel tests were dug, averaging a depth of 20 cm. The entire property was examined· except for two areas which were inaccessible due to dense vegetation (approximately 100 square meters). The surface of each boulder was inspected as well as all ground surface changes. All areas of eroding soil and other exposures of the subsurface were examined, e.g., tree falls, for evidence of archaeological resources.

During the reconnaissance no artifacts or other diagnostic evidence of prehistoric occupation were observed or recovered. In all but two shovel tests no "A" horizon of soil was observed. Two tests near the bottom of the slope of the property exhibited a colluvium layer about one inch thick. Beneath this was the “B” horizon seen in the other tests. In addition to these tests numerous instances of soil erosion exposed the subsurface confirming the results of the shovel tests. None of the boulders exhibited evidence of prehistoric utilization. No structures were found on the property. A series of color slides was taken which have been place in the National Register file, Jones Co., Clinton Historic District (Ga. D. N. R., Historic Preservation Section, Atlanta).

Based on these results I conclude that no further archaeology on this property is warranted regarding the proposed park development. No evidence of archaeological resources, actual or assumed, was recovered or observed. The archaeological integrity of the National Register district will not be adversely impacted by this project.