Intensive Archeological Survey and Testing of the Hickory Ridge Development Upson and Pike counties, Georgia

Southeastern Archeological Services, Inc., (SAS) recently completed an intensive archeological survey of the Hickory Ridge Development in Upson and Pike Counties, Georgia. In addition, two sites that were identified on the survey were tested. The developer of the property, Mr. John Edenfield, wishes to construct an 18 hole golf course and subdivision. Mr. Edenfield contacted SAS because the project requires a Corps of Engineers Section 404 permit, which entails a cultural resources survey to appraise any potential adverse effects the proposed undertaking could have on historic properties. A two person crew surveyed the 450 acre (182 ha) tract from February 20-24, 1995. Twenty-three archeological sites (Table 1) and four artifact occurrences were identified on this survey. Eleven of the sites produced exclusively prehistoric artifacts, four date solely to the historic period, and eight contain both prehistoric and historic components. On the basis of survey data alone, 21 of the sites appeared to be ineligible for the National Register of Historic Places due to sparsity of artifacts, disturbance from grading or erosion, and the likelihood that the sites would provide little additional, substantial information as the result of future investigations. Two sites (9UP48 and 9UP53), both prehistoric artifact scatters, appeared to have some research potential and were considered potentially eligible for the National Register at the conclusion of the survey phase of the project. Testing programs, consisting of the excavation of additional shovel tests and I x 2 m test units, were undertaken at these two sites during the week of March 6-10, 1995. Based on the data obtained through survey and testing, it appears that both sites functioned as short term camps where activities focused on quartz lithic reduction. Cultural material on both sites was restricted to the plowzone, and the more substantial of the two sites (9UP53) has been extensively disturbed by logging and golf course construction. Because of the limited nature of the deposits, and the degree of disturbance evident, both sites are unlikely to yield significant information through additional investigations. As a result, all 23 archeological sites on the Hickory Ridge property are recommended ineligible to the National Register of Historic Places.