Archaeological Survey of Proposed Widening of Killian Hill Road, Gwinnett County, Georgia

On January 5 and 6, 1994 Southeastern Archeological Services conducted an intensive archeological survey of new right-of-way needed for the widening of Killian Hill Road from near US Highway 78 to near US Highway 29, in southwestern Gwinnett County. The project area consists of varying widths, depending on the width of the existing highway, local topography and the proposed design. On average, the project area consisted of no more than 10 in of additional right-of-way on one side of the existing road. The maximum width of new right-of-way was about 30 in, and often there was no, or less than 5 in of, new right-of-way. A previous reconnaissance survey (Hamby and Reed 1993) had located eight houses along the route that were probably older than 50 years and identified about 2 Ian of relatively undisturbed corridor that could contain a site. The corridor is heavily developed, mostly with residential housing, but also with some commercial structures. This intensive survey recorded three archeological sites and noted the location of seven structures that are 50-years, old. The structures are being described and evaluated in a separate report and are not considered archeological sites. One previously recorded site, which is only vaguely located as near the road crossing at Yellow River, was not relocated. The three located sites consist of a sparse lithic and historic period artifact scatter, the stone abutments of the old McDaniels Bridge at the Yellow River, and a twentieth century house site that is now mostly just foundations. None of these are recommended eligible to the National Register on archeological grounds (criteria d), because none display any evidence that they would be likely to contribute important information through additional archeological investigation. The stone abutments of the old (pre-1960s) McDaniels Bridge, at the Yellow River, are partially intact (more so on the north side of the river) and are interesting as reminders of older bridge technology. Although not recommended as eligible to the National Register, we recommend that efforts be made not to harm the northern abutment during the widening project. Since it occurs outside of the proposed construction zone, this probably will happen without special precaution. In regard to archeological sites, the principal investigator recommends that no significant (National Register eligible) sites will be affected by the proposed highway widening. No further work is necessary.