Phase I Cultural Resources Survey: Proposed Bear Creek Sewer Line Corridor Douglas County, Georgia

In August 1998, R.S. Webb & Associates conducted a Phase I cultural resources survey of the proposed Bear Creek sewer line corridor along a 6.8-kilometer (4.2 mile) section of Little Bear Creek in Douglas County, Georgia. The survey was conducted under contract with Atlanta Testing and Engineering, Inc. on behalf of the Douglas County Water and Sewerage Authority. The purpose of the study was to locate and identify cultural resources within the proposed sewer line corridor and assess cultural resource significance based on National Register of Historic Places criteria (36 CFR Part 60.4). The survey included a literature/records search and an archeological field survey of the project area. Review of pertinent National Register files, Douglas County historic structures files and archeological site files revealed that no currently known National Register resources or historic structures are located within or near the project corridor. The study corridor was reconnoitered in 1980 by Roy Dickens as part of a larger reconnaissance study of a proposed county wastewater facilities system. One of the sites detected by Dickens et al. (1980), Site 9DO21, is located adjacent to the project area. Site 9DO21 was reported as a low density scatter of prehistoric artifacts redeposited to the bed of Bear Creek. Neither Site 9DO21 nor the possible source of these redeposited artifacts were detected during the current field survey. Historic maps and aerial photographs covering the study area show no historic structures or features within or near the project corridor. The absence of historic structures was confirmed during the current field study. Portions of four archeological sites and two isolated artifact finds were detected during the field survey of the proposed sewer line corridor. These resources include: four prehistoric artifact scatters (Sites 9DO101, 9DO102, 9DO103 and 9DO104) and two prehistoric lithic artifacts (IF-1 and IF-1). Portions of Sites 9DO101, 9DO102 and 9DO104 were sampled during the survey. These areas and isolated find localities have been severely disturbed and dispersed by agricultural and silvicultural practices. Only portions of Sites 9DO101, 9DO102 and 9DO104 were sampled, and those portions are severely disturbed. Since the nature and condition of site areas beyond the survey corridor is unknown, the overall NRHP eligibility status recommendation for these three sites is "unknown with no adverse effect for portions of the site within the project area". No additional work is recommended for the portions of Sites 9DO101, 9DO102 and 9DO104 that lie within the project corridor. The two isolated finds are recommended as ineligible for the NRHP and no further work is advised. Survey data on Site 9DO103 indicate the presence of archeological deposits to depths of 45 centimeters below surface. Shovel testing and surface collection yielded lithics, one Late Archaic projectile point and one plain sand-tempered sherd. Soil conditions and the hammock-like site environment suggest that this locality has not been cultivated for many years. For this reason, R.S. Webb & Associates recommended that Site 9DO103 be avoided or further evaluated so that clear recommendations regarding the site's NRHP eligibility status can be made. It was the decision of the Douglas County Water and Sewerage Authority to reroute the sewer line corridor and completely avoid Site 9DO103. No additional work is recommended for this site unless the project design is altered such as to effect the site.