Phase 2 Testing and Additional Archaeological Investigations at the Tennessee Army National Guard Catoosa Training Center, Catoosa County, Georgia

Between May and September 2005, the Nashville office of TRC, Inc. conducted archaeological investigations and Phase II testing at twelve sites located on the Tennessee Army National Guard (TNARNG) Catoosa Training Center in Catoosa County, Georgia. These investigations were conducted under contract to Edge Group Inc. and the TNARNG, according to the provisions of the TNARNG Integrated Cultural Resources Management Plan for Volunteer Training Sites statewide, for fiscal years 2002 through 2006. The primary goals of these investigations were to identify the density, spatial distribution, and integrity of archaeological deposits at sites 9CT28, 29, 34, 35, 66, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, and 75, and to determine if these deposits exhibit sufficient integrity to merit NRHP eligibility under the criteria set forth in 36 CFR 60.4. Work at site 9CT74, a historic period cemetery, consisted of identifying the number and extent of burials in order to facilitate future preservation efforts. Archaeological investigations resulted in the determination that Early Woodland prehistoric sites 9CT28 and 9CT66 feature intact archaeological deposits. It is the recommendation of TRC that portions of these sites are eligible for inclusion in the NRHP under Criterion D of 36 CFR 60.4 and should be subject to avoidance and preservation measures. The current level of maintenance and training activities that take place at the Catoosa facility will not impact these archaeological resources. However, no ground-disturbing activities should take place within the area of intact deposits. In the event that such activities are unavoidable, the TNARNG should consult with the Georgia SHPO in order to identify and resolve any adverse effects to the resource. The investigations determined that prehistoric sites 9CT70, 72, and 75 were in fact parts of one larger site, now designated 9CT70. One previously unrecorded prehistoric site, 9CT91, was identified as a result of the investigations. Prehistoric sites 9CT69, 70, 71, and 91, and historic sites 9CT34 and 35 have all been disturbed by natural or cultural processes in the past. It is the, recommendation of TRC that these resources do not exhibit the necessary integrity or research potential for listing on the NRHP. No future archaeological consideration or preservation measures are recommended for any of these six site locations. Testing at 9CT29 revealed that the site does not exist or has been destroyed. The investigators were unable to relocate prehistoric site 9CT73 in its previously recorded location. No future archaeological consideration or preservation measures are recommended for either of these site locations.