Archaeological Resources Survey of the Proposed Palmyra-Century Transmission Line, Lee County, Georgia

An intensive archaeological resources survey was carried out for the Georgia Transmission Corporation's proposed Palmyra-Century Transmission Line in Lee County, Georgia. The project was carried out in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act by personnel qualified under 36 CFR Part 61. The total area surveyed included approximately 5.5 km (3.4 miles) of new transmission line right-of-way, and 4.8 km (3.0 miles) of existing transmission line. The width of the proposed transmission line right-of-way is 30 m (100 ft) in cross country areas, and 22 m (75 ft) alongside roadways. No previously identified historic or prehistoric cultural resources were located within the project area boundaries through background research at the Georgia State Historic Preservation Division nor with the Georgia Archaeological Site File database maintained by the Department of Anthropology, University of Georgia. Two (2) archaeological localities were encountered during the survey (9LE56 and 9LE57). Site 9LE56 included 151 recovered artifacts (all Coastal Plain chert debitage). Only one surface artifact was collected; ten of the shovel tests were positive. A deeply buried artifact deposit was identified, extending more than 1.5 m below the surface (bs). Site 9LE56 appears to present potential for intact buried features or contextual information (within the project area of effect). Due to the lack of disturbance and the volume and density of artifacts, this site is considered potentially eligible for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places. Avoidance of the site is recommended by spanning its width in the transmission line right-of-way (placing utility poles only outside its boundaries), and implementing restrictions on vehicular traffic and vegetation clearing over the site. If avoidance is not possible a recommendation of Phase II Testing to determine eligibility is forwarded. Site 9LE57 included 70 recovered artifacts (all Coastal Plain chert debitage). None of the artifacts recovered were located on the surface; nine of the shovel tests were positive. Close-interval shovel testing in the site area indicates that cultural deposits are limited to a few small, elevated landforms in the midst of a low, wet area. Shovel tests excavated in the low areas were negative. No ceramics or diagnostic lithics were recovered. No evidence of cultural features were encountered. This site appears to be a small, short-term lithic workshop area, and is likely near a chert quarry. Because of the abundance of Coastal Plain chert sources near major waterways in Lee, Dougherty, and other surrounding counties in Southwest Georgia, small lithic workshop sites like 9LE57 are common. The site does not appear to present any potential for intact buried features or contextual information (at least within the project area of effect). This site is not considered to be eligible for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places.