Phase II Archaeological Investigations Along the Vogtle-Effingham-Thalman 500 KV Transmission Line, Burke and Liberty Counties, Georgia

From 21-31 May 2001, Brockington and Associates, Inc., conducted Phase 11 archaeological testing at five (9BK72-75; 9LI30 1) sites along the Vogtle-Effingham-Thalman 500 KV transmission line in Burke and Liberty counties, Georgia (Table 1). These sites have been part of an aerial monitoring program developed in ENV-130, Vogtle Electrical Generating Plant Environmental Protection Plan (EPP) Audit Procedure. This procedure was developed in compliance with Section 5.1 of the Vogtle Electric Generating Project (VEGP) EPP (Appendix B to Operating License No. NPF-6). Sites 9BK72, 73, and 75 are prehistoric artifact scatters (mainly lithic), while 9BK74 is a lithic scatter and late nineteenth/early twentieth century house site (with brick chimney pile). These sites were recorded during the original survey for the transmission line (Garrow 1984). Site 9LI301 is a multi-component prehistoric site that yielded Late Archaic through Late Mississippian material during the original survey (Garrow 1984). Two additional sites (91,1298 and 91,1302) were revisited, but were not tested. In 1985, data recovery was conducted at site 91,1298, a Middle Woodland (Deptford) and early nineteenth century historic house site, by Garrow and Associates, Inc. (Joseph 1986). No management recommendations were made based on this data recovery, but the conclusions and discussion suggest that Joseph (1986) considered this site to have fulfilled its research potential. We recommend no further work or monitoring of this site. Site 9LI302 has been destroyed by the excavation of a large borrow pit. No further work or monitoring is recommended for this site. None of the sites revisited exhibited the density or degree of integrity expressed in the original survey report (Garrow 1984). It is not clear whether this is due to subsequent disturbance or simply the nature of the sites themselves. Apart from the destroyed chimney remnant and firebox previously recorded at site 9BK74, there is no evidence of major subsurface disturbance due to transmission line construction and/or maintenance; however, the prehistoric subsurface deposits within the right-of-way are relatively sparse, with no evidence of intact features or cultural strata. The prehistoric component of the site appears to be centered outside the right-of-way to the west and could still provide information important to prehistory. We recommend site 9BK74 potentially eligible for the NRHP and further recommend that aerial monitoring of 9BK74 be continued. In the event that intact portions of the site are threatened, efforts should be made to coordinate with the property owners to avoid the site or conduct further investigations. The destruction of site 9LI302 was due to fill borrowing not related to transmission line construction and/or maintenance. Site 9LI301 exhibited a fair degree of preservation, with intact cultural strata. While artifact yields were small, all components originally reported were identified. Due to the intact nature of cultural deposits and probability of subsurface features, we recommend this site eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), and recommend continued monitoring of this site. In the event that the site is further threatened, a data recovery plan should be developed, approved by the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), and executed prior to further disturbance.