Archaeological Assessment of Project STP-M000-00(049), Harris, Meriwether, Pike, Pulaski, Schley, Sumter, Taylor, Troup, and Upson Counties

In compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and amendments thereto, project STP-M000-00(049) in Harris. Meriwether. Pike, Pulaski, Schley, Sumter, Taylor, Troup, and Upson counties has been surveyed with respect to archaeological resource, especially those on or eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) the purpose of the survey was to locate, identify, and evaluate the significance of any archaeological resources within the proposed project's area of potential environmental effect. The proposed project consists of pile rehabilitation on 15 bridges. In each case, the existing precast concrete superstructures will be removed and the timber pile bents and concrete caps will be replaced. The super structure will then be reassembled and the bridge railing will be upgraded if necessary. All work will be conducted within the existing right-of-way. An archaeological survey (Level II) was conducted in accordance with "GDOT FHWA Cultural Resource Survey Guide lines" developed by the GDOT Staff Archaeologists in consultation with DNR Historic Preservation Di vis ion Staff and concurred in by the Federal Highway Administration and State Historic Preservation Officer. These guidelines provide general survey boundaries and methodological approaches to archeological surveys based on the type/scope of work of proposed highway projects and are followed during the initial identification of archaeological resources. Three archaeological sites were associated with two bridges investigated during this survey. Site 9PU89 was identified adjacent to a bridge for Pope Church Road over Bluff Creek (235-00066X- 000.34N). Lithic debris, fire-cracked rock, and sand tempered sherds were recovered from a series of shovel tests parallel to the road. The cultural bearing horizon thins with distance from the stream. Two sites were defined on either side of the bridge spanning Ten Mile Creek (235-00078X-000.54W). Site 9PU90 is adjacent to the wetland along the stream. One shovel test yielded a large quantity of artifacts (n= 192), which may have been in a feature. Materials recovered from the site include lithic debris, a retouched flake, and fire-cracked rock. Site 9PU91 is situated on the opposite side of the stream in a similar context. This site yielded cores, lithic debris, plain sand tempered sherds, and fire-cracked rock. Although National Register eligibility was not evaluated for any of these sites, activities associated with rehabilitation of the bridge will avoid the defined site areas. In order to ensure that unforeseen project impacts do not occur at these sites, special stipulations restricting construction activities will be implemented. No existing or eligible National Register resources were located within the project's area of potential environmental effect. It is concluded, therefore, that the project will have no effect upon archaeological resources on or eligible for inclusion in the NRHP provided that the project conforms to that described above."