An Archaeological Resources Survey for the Proposed Widening of US 441 and Center Bypass in Jackson County, Georgia

An intensive archaeological resources survey was conducted by the Michael Baker Jr., Inc., Cultural Resources Staff(Atlanta Division) in Jackson County, Georgia, along US 441 for a total distance of 22.7 km (14.2 miles). The undertaking involves the widening of US 441 from just south of the Clarke/Jackson County line to the intersection of US 441 and SR 334 south of the city limit of Commerce, Georgia. Both alternatives (Al and A2) follow the existing US 441 at a variable width of 100 to 300 feet (Figure 1). Near the town of Center, Alternative A2 includes 3.7 km (2.3 miles) of new roadway corridor; the Center Bypass, and excludes most of the portion of US 441 which passes through the Center city limits. In the same area, Alternative Al does not deviate substantially from US 441, but passes through the town. The work was carried out under the supervision of the Georgia Department of Transportation and in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. Methodology included both background research and fieldwork. The background research revealed that no previously recorded archaeological sites were located within the project's area of effect. The fieldwork resulted in the identification of two (2) archaeological sites (one historic and one prehistoric), and seven (7) prehistoric isolated occurrences. The first site (9JK181) is located along US 441 (within the right-of-way shared by both alternatives). It is of a recent historic nature (late 1930s - early 1940s) and consists of a poorly preserved foundation wall, and associated glass and metal fragments. The site is not considered eligible for nomination to the NRHP due to its poor preservation, its lack of historic and architectural significance and the absence of significant subsurface deposits. The second site (9JK182) is located west of US 441 along the Center Bypass (Alternative A2). It consists of a very small scatter of probable Archaic lithic debitage. Only four artifacts were recovered from the site. The site is not considered eligible for nomination to the NRHP as it contains little or no opportunity for data recovery, and neither identifiable features nor diagnostic artifacts. The seven isolated finds consist of; one (1) Morrow Mountain type projectile point; one (1) basal end of a probable Kirk or Bolen type projectile point; one (1) partial quartz Kirk type projectile point; two (2) quartz scrapers; one (1) unifacially retouched quartz flake; and one (1) quartz core reduction flake. With the exception of Isolated Finds #6 and #7 (which were found within 20 meters of each other), none of the isolated finds were associated with any other artifactual materials. The project results indicate that no significant archaeological resources will be impacted by the undertaking, thus no further investigations are recommended for subsurface cultural deposits. As per the Georgia Department of Transportation Scope of Work, the historic structures are treated in a separate volume.