Archaeological Data Recovery at Site 9PK48 for the Proposed Water Supply Reservoir, City of Griffin, Pike County, Georgia

From May 16 through August 21, 2003, R.S. Webb & Associates conducted Phase III archeological data recovery excavations at Site 9PK48. The data recovery program was conducted in accordance with Section 106 of the NHPA and 36 CFR 800, for the purpose of mitigating adverse effect to a historic property. A total of 121.8 square meters was investigated through hand excavation (shovel tests, test units, and block) and mechanical excavation (strip area and trench). Based on the testing data, the investigation was focused on the Late Paleoindian/Early Archaic component. The emphasis of this study was expanded to include the Middle Archaic, when a discrete sub-plowzone Morrow Mountain component was discovered overlying Early Archaic deposits in Block 1. Discrete activity areas were identified for both cultural components. Early Archaic activities included hunting and hide processing as indicated by the presence of a Kirk Cornernotched PP/K, and unifacial scraping tools. The Middle Archaic component contained a quartz reduction/workshop location, and a resource processing area. As part of this study, a geomorphological investigation was conducted at the site. Site 9PK48 was found to be situated on an ancient dune. Geomorphological data does not support renewed Holocene eolian or slopewash sedimentation, nor is there a geochemical signal for a buried A-Horizon or midden. These data suggest that bioturbation is the most probable cause for the burial of artifacts at the site. The lapse of time between the Early Archaic and Middle Archaic occupations is thought to account for stratification. The archeological findings provide evidence that bioturbation may have contributed to the burial of these deposits without destroying them. Data recovery excavations have mitigated the adverse effect on Site 9PK48 from the proposed project.