Management Summary Archaeological Testing of the Sardis Creek Site

Archaeological testing of Site 35, the Sardis Creek Site, was carried out from the 29th of June through the 3rd of July, 1987 by Garrow and Associates, Inc. The site is located approximately three miles north of Canton in Cherokee County, Georgia. Site 35 was first identified and recorded during the Cultural Resource Investigation of the Proposed East Tennessee Ball Ground Pipeline Corridor, conducted for the Atlanta Gas Light Company by Garrow and Associates, Inc. Archaeological testing of Site 35 was conducted in order to fulfill the legal compliance needs of Atlanta Gas Light Company. Initial reconnaissance of Site 35 indicated the site featured both Middle Archaic and Woodland period components. In addition, the density of artifacts over the site suggested the possibility of intact prehistoric features. Testing of Site 35 was undertaken in order to develop recommendations for either the avoidance of, or further archaeological study of, this site. This study was aimed at determining whether or not Site 35 was potentially eligible for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places. The proposed 50 foot wide corridor right-of-way transects Site 35 from east to west. A total of five 2 x 2 meter excavation units and a single 1 x 1 meter excavation unit were excavated in the proposed corridor right-of-way. The results of these investigations indicate that Site 35 is not potentially eligible for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places. Excavations revealed that no intact cultural remains exist in the area of the site subject to the negative impact of the pipeline construction. In addition, these investigations documented the fact that this site is limited to a shallow plow zone, which has been disturbed by repeated plowing and possible terracing. These results indicate that no further archaeological study of Site 35 is required. The methodology and results of these investigations are provided in detail in the following chapters.