An Intensive Cultural Resource Assessment Survey of the Cove at Old Red Bluff Parcel, Camden County, Georgia

During September of 2006 Bland & Associates, Inc. (BAI) conducted an intensive cultural resource assessment survey of the 184.91-acre Cove at Old Red Bluff parcel, in Camden County, Georgia. The investigation was performed on behalf of Cypress Investments LLP, to comply with federal and state regulations regarding the identification and management of historic properties that might occur within the project tract. Specifically, this archaeological project was mandated by the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACOE) regulations entitled "Processing of Department of the Army Permits: Procedures for the Protection of Cultural Resources (33 CFR 325.4; Appendix C), "Nationwide General Permit Condition No. 12" (33 CFR 330.4 [g]), and 33 CFR 320.4 [a] 92) (e). This project has been previously assigned the tracking number HP 060801001 by HPD-GADNR. The goals of this project were to locate, identify, delineate, and evaluate cultural resources within the tract. All cultural resources within the project tract were evaluated for significance and to determine their eligibility for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). The fieldwork component of the project involved an extensive pedestrian survey combined with intensive shovel testing of the project tract. No historic structures or previously recorded cultural resources occur within the project tract. As a result of fieldwork, 267 forty-centimeter square shovel tests were excavated, and two of these shovel test were positive for cultural material, resulting in the discovery of two Isolated Surface Finds. Isolated Finds (IF) are defined as any single artifact recovered with no additional cultural artifacts recovered from either the ground surface or other tests within a radius of 30 m or less. With the exception of diagnostic projectile points, isolated finds yield less than the minimum data sufficient to forward statements concerning prehistoric or historic land use and/or temporal affiliation. Extensive, additional shovel testing (n=8) around each Isolated Find failed to locate additional artifacts. Moreover, no artifacts were found within the remainder of the testing grid installed within the project area during fieldwork. Based upon the absence of artifact concentrations as demonstrated through extensive shovel testing, and the unexceptional nature of the Isolated Finds (roadside bottle glass), there does not appear to be a potential for future research at either Isolated Find. In summary, no further archaeological investigation or preservation is recommended within the project tract; it is recommended that this project be allowed to proceed as planned without further concern for impacts to significant cultural resources. Although no cultural resources were recorded during the present investigation, this work will add to current knowledge of aboriginal and historic settlement of Camden County. The negative results can be integrated into a broad-scale and comprehensive regional settlement model aimed at the prediction of prehistoric and historic site locations within Camden County.