Phase I Terrestrial Archaeological Survey for a Proposed Probation Detention Center, Fulton County, Georgia

Under contract with the Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC), Dames & Moore, a subsidiary of URS Corporation, was tasked to conduct a Phase I Archaeological Survey (Phase I) of an approximately 25-acre site along Stonewall Tell Road near Union City in Fulton County, Georgia. The site has been proposed as the preferred site for a Probation Detention Center (PDC), and an Environmental Assessment (EA) is being conducted for the project area under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The need for a Phase I came as a result of observations made during a reconnaissance survey for the EA on April 8, 2002. The footprint of the approximately 25-acre site has been defined as the Area of Potential Effect (APE). Properties immediately adjacent to the APE include single-family residential neighborhoods to the west and south of the preferred site, the J. C. Larmore PDC to the east, and a flagged wetland area to the north. As previously stated, the reconnaissance survey was conducted during the week of April 8, 2002. At that time, the site was walked at approximately 30-meter intervals and several rock piles, a large rock dam in a drainage swale, and earthen terraces related to historical agricultural activities were observed. Additional artifacts or features were not identified despite a pedestrian walkover of areas exhibiting excellent surface visibility, including the drainage swale bed and cleared paths created by geo-technical surveyors. Also, while the topography can contain significant slopes and rocks, a few broad, flat areas suitable for occupation were observed. Background research was undertaken along with the initial reconnaissance survey. Aerial photographs of the project area dating 1938, 1960, 1966, 1972, 1986, 1989, and 1993 were reviewed. These images suggested that the large drainage swale presently bisecting the preferred site may have historically flowed year-round (Environmental Data Resources, Inc. [EDR] 2002). The possible historical presence of this year-round water source increased the potential for the presence of archaeological sites on the property. A review of existing records at the Georgia Archaeological Site Files in Athens revealed that no archaeological sites had been found within one mile of the proposed project site; however, two surveys had been conducted in the vicinity. One of the Principal Investigators for the previous surveys was contacted for his opinion of the preferred site and the surrounding area. He concurred with the assessment that the probability of cultural resources existing in the APE was high enough to warrant further investigation. Also, verbal contact was made with the Georgia Historic Preservation Division (HPD) to discuss preliminary observations at the project site. Overall, the APE was found to possess a high probability for containing archaeological resources based on the topographic relief, the presence of several rock features, the site's seeming proximity to creeks (historical), and the site's historical agrarian application. The purpose of the Phase I was to investigate the APE, define the nature of archaeological resources present, and evaluate the resources under the implementing regulations for listing in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) (36 Code of Federal Regulations [CFR] 800). Fieldwork for the Phase I was initiated on June 17, 2002 and lasted four days. The preferred site was divided into two survey areas (Area A and Area B) based on the central course of the main drainage swale that bisects the 25-acre project site. Area A is north of the main drainage swale and Area B is south of the main drainage swale. Area A was systematically surveyed with shovel test pits (STPs) placed at 30-meter intervals in an east to west orientation. Based on the absence of artifacts recovered from the STPs, the steep slope over a portion of Area A, and the presence of numerous rock outcrops and piles, STPs were placed judgmentally in the broad, flatter portions of Area A. Steep areas were limited to pedestrian walkovers. The higher probability portions of Area A were surveyed in 15-meter interval transects. The low probability, steep and rocky portions of Area A were surveyed on foot at 30-meter intervals, specifically focusing on rock features including, but not limited to, rock piles, rock dams, and rock terraces. Based on the results of the Phase I in Area A, Area B was considered to be a low probability area. Hence, STP transects were placed at 60-meter intervals, with a few judgmentally placed transects situated at closer intervals along the flatter portions of Area B. The intervening areas between the 60-meter interval transects were surveyed on foot with special attention devoted to the identification of rock features. Area B produced the only positive STP (5-2) along Transect 5 in the southern portion of the APE. The STP revealed two quartz flakes of undetermined prehistoric origin. Survey intervals were reduced to 15 meters for a distance of 30 meters surrounding the positive STP in the cardinal directions; however, additional artifacts were not recovered. The most significant finding at the 25-acre preferred site consists of the agrarian landscape itself, which includes the historic construction of earthen terraces, rock piles, rock terraces (or low rock walls), and rock dams in drainage swales. This complex of earthworks has been given the site number 9FU438. Evidence for a prehistoric origin for the rock features present at the site was not encountered during the survey, and other prehistoric rock features (e.g., rock shelters) were not identified. In addition to the rock features identified during the survey, it was noted that a significant portion of the entire 25-acre preferred site contains countless historic drainage swales, ditches, gullies, and washouts resulting from poor agricultural practices that severely eroded soils in the project area. In fact, it appears that the main drainage swale bisecting the site is likely a very large eroded ditch related to poor agricultural practices. Further substantiating the finding, the Cecil and Appling soil series present at the site are both deflated of their original A and E horizons, and Ap and BA horizons, respectively. The new humus is extremely thin and practically indistinguishable from the underlying horizons in both series. Despite the absence of artifacts and the highly eroded condition of soils, the site is a representative example of an historic agrarian landscape of the period during which farmers constructed earthen terraces, rock piles, rock dams, and rock terraces to control erosion during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Additional investigations are not recommended, as it is improbable that additional information about agrarian practices on farms during the late 19th and early 20th centuries could be obtained from further studies. A complete agricultural context for the site, including structures such as a farmhouse, barns, smokehouses, blacksmith shops, etc., that might have contributed to the site's eligibility for consideration for listing on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is absent. The site is similar to documented agrarian archaeological sites, and examples with well-preserved agrarian contexts exist throughout Georgia (Adams et al. 2001, HPD 2001). Finally, the quartz flakes recovered from STP 5-2 are considered an isolated find (IF-1) and by definition were not considered as eligible for the NRHP.