Mitigative Investigations at the Shaw Site (9BR7)

This report covers the data recovery phase for the mitigation of impact of Georgia Department of Transportation Project #BRZLB-0015(2). That project, a road straightening and bridge replacement, was to adversely impact the Site. The site has been known since Wauchope recorded it in his survey of Northern Georgia (1966). Mitigation procedures included the excavation of five 2 X 2 meter units, mechanical stripping of overburden and midden to reveal structural features or other evidence of prehistoric cultural activities, the recording of three profiles to a depth of three meters below present ground surface to search for buried sites, and the execution of a topographic map of the project area. In conjunction with the results of previous excavations, material from the 2 X 2 meter units established the presence of four cultural components on the site. TP 1W and Ditch Profile #3 contained lithic materials indicative of an Archaic occupation of the site. Occupation during this period appears to have been limited to those areas with a sandy soil substrate. Materials from the Kellog Phase are, for the most part, restricted to the river bank, where a lithic station was uncovered. Cartersville Phase materials were not frequent. This appears consistent with other sites in the Etowah District, where the Cartersville occupation was widespread but ephemeral. The final Wilbanks Phase occupation contributed the largest amount of material, but this was still meager in comparison to the rich materials from another Site. While activity outside the perimeter of the other Site is recorded by the numerous mounds to the south and west of that site, and by the midden at the site, materials recovered in an investigation of such a limited area are not adequate to address topics of site function.