A Cultural Resources Survey of Two Small Tracts in Phinizy Swamp, Richmond County, Georgia

Southeastern Archeological Services contracted with the Georgia Department of Transportation (DOT) to survey two small tracts (5.9 ha) of land on elevated portions of an oxbow remnant in Phinizy Swamp, south of Augusta, Georgia. The DOT proposes to use soil from the two tracts for fill in construction of the Bobby Jones Expressway extension from New Savannah Road to Sandbar Ferry Road, south of Augusta. Shovel tests measuring 30 cm in diameter were excavated on 20 m intervals across both survey tracts to locate subsurface artifacts, determine the horizontal and vertical distributions of artifacts, and evaluate sites in terms of their eligibility for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places. Five new archeological sites were discovered and recorded. Three are prehistoric lithic scatters, one is a prehistoric and historic site, and one is an historic brick and fired clay scatter. Only two sites, 9Ri381 and 9Ri382 had more than two positive shovel tests. 9Ri381 had 11 positive shovel tests indicating areas with high artifact density (1204 artifacts per square meter), and evidence of occupation during the Early Archaic, Late Archaic, and early to mid nineteenth century. This site is recommended eligible for the National Register due to its high artifact density, good preservation, and potential for features. If the DOT cannot guarantee its preservation and protection a program of data recovery should be implemented. 9Ri382 had seven positive shovel tests. Although no shovel test contained large numbers of artifacts, the site size and interval used may not have been adequate to identify areas of high artifact density. This site is recommended potentially eligible and should be preserved and protected until further testing can be conducted. The three remaining small sites represent two undiagnostic prehistoric and one historic component. They are recommended ineligible for the National Register due to their low artifact density and low potential to yield more important information. Cultural clearance is recommended for these sites.