Archeological Reconnaissance of the Proposed Mossy Creek State Park, Hall County, Georgia

In January, 2003, Southeastern Archeological Services, Inc., conducted an archeological reconnaissance survey of the proposed Mossy Creek State Park. The proposed park incorporates an area ofroughly 40 ha (99 ac) in northeastern Hall County. The intent of the survey was to provide archeological information to park planning personnel that will assist them in the development of a site-specific master plan. This goal was accomplished through a combination of archival research and field reconnaissance. Because this was a reconnaissance level survey, the primary goal was to ascertain the types of sites that might be expected to occur in the tract and to form some preliminary indications regarding their ubiquity and distribution. Secondarily, the field reconnaissance was aimed at finding as many significant sites (e.g., cemeteries and well preserved prehistoric sites) as possible so that they can be avoided.

Archival research at the Georgia Archaeological Site Files indicated the presence of no previously recorded sites within or near the project area. Additional archival research-consisting of the examination of old maps, county histories, cemetery books, and aerial photographs at the Gainesville Regional Library and the University of Georgia Libraries-demonstrated that no houses were present within the project area during the early and middle twentieth century.

Field inspection of the project area consisted of a pedestrian survey of the major landforms. We walked all of the principal ridges, terraces, and levees, looking for obvious signs of historic houses and cemeteries and examining any exposed ground surfaces for artifacts. Where surface exposure was inadequate, we sometimes excavated shovel tests to determine soil conditions and ascertain the presence of sites.

Consistent with our archival research, we found no prehistoric artifact scatters or historic house sites in the survey tract. However, we did identify five other historic sites. These included a cluster of rock piles (probably related to nineteenth century agriculture), two sites with linear trenches (possibly associated with nineteenth century mineral prospecting), a twentieth century trash dump, and a small cemetery.

Based on the results of our study, we believe that the survey area has a low probability for archeological sites. Although a more intensive survey would perhaps identify other sites in the project area that were not detected during our reconnaissance, we believe that the number of sites in the proposed state park is minimal.

Because this was a reconnaissance level study, all of the confirmed or potential archeological sites that were identified should be avoided until they can be investigated in greater detail and evaluated for eligibility to the National Register of Historic Places. Further, any ground disturbing activities should be preceded by a more intensive archeological survey. With these caveats in place, it is nevertheless possible to suggest that the cemetery is obviously more sensitive and should be protected from any development. Most of the cemetery lies to the west of the survey area on private property. However, at least one grave appears to intrude slightly into the proposed state park, and it is possible that additional, unmarked graves are present in the area. The full limits of the cemetery should be delineated, or it should be given a wide buffer to prevent the inadvertent disturbance of any graves.