Draft Report: An Intensive Archaeological and Historical Survey of the Proposed Mineral Sands Mine, Brantley County, Georgia

Southeastern Archaeological Research, Inc. conducted an intensive archaeological and historical survey of the TE Consolidated LLC proposed mineral sands mine in Brantley County, Georgia from April to June of 2002. The purpose of the survey was to identify any archaeological sites or historic structures contained within the project's area of potential effect (APE) and to assess their eligibility for listing on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). The survey is intended to comply with the requirements of Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and its implementing regulation 36 CFR Part 800 (Protection of Historic Properties), as amended. The research for this project was done in accordance with the guidelines set forth in the US. Department of the Interior's Archaeology and Historic Preservation; Secretary of Interior's Standards and Guidelines [48 Fed. Reg. 44,716 (1983)]. The proposed mine property consists of 6,864.5 acres on the north and south sides of U.S. 82, approximately 2.5 miles east of U.S. 301 and immediately west of the town of Lulaton and the Brantley County Airport. The property presently is in use as a slash pine plantation. The United States Department of Agriculture has not yet completed a soil survey of Brantley County; however, based on our field survey, the majority of the soils in the APE appear to be poorly drained to very poorly drained. There are several wetlands on the property and the nearest naturally-occurring, free-flowing freshwater source is the Satilla River, approximately 2.5 miles to the east. Background research was conducted prior to entering the field and consisted of a review of the relevant environmental data, historic War Department topographic maps, current USGS quadrangle maps, aerial photographs, and previously recorded site location and survey data housed at the University of Georgia. A meeting was held on February 13, 2002 with Richard Warner, Review Archaeologist, and Karen Anderson-Cordova, Unit Manager with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Historic Preservation Division to discuss the proposed project and survey methods. Based on the background research and agency meeting, a research design was developed and fieldwork was then conducted. During 23 field days, a crew of four archaeologists excavated 937 shovel tests along 42 kilometers (26.42 miles) of transects and visually inspected over 24 kilometers (15 miles) of pedestrian transects within the project APE in an effort to locate any archaeological sites or standing structures. Interviews were conducted with seven local informants, and repeat interviews that involved site visits were conducted with two informants. As a result of this survey, 5 archaeological sites, 2 abandoned historic cemeteries, and 12 isolated finds were recorded. None of the resources are considered eligible for listing on the NRHP. No historic structures were identified. TE Consolidated plans to set aside the two abandoned historic cemeteries as preservation areas. No further archaeological work is recommended for any of the nineteen discovered cultural resources.