Archaeological Assessment of Project STP-00MS(16), Chatham County

The archaeological survey was limited due to the complete urbanization of the project area. The ground surface of the project corridor is totally obscured by concrete sidewalks and asphalt streets, precluding subsurface testing. Background research suggests that a very low probability exists for significant prehistoric sites to have survived the intensive for significant prehistoric sites to have survived the intensive disturbance and development in the project area. The area of downtown Savannah in which the fiber optic cable will be placed is the oldest part of the City of Savanna. Therefore, given th general history of the downtown Savannah area and the high probability that archaeological sites relating to historic activities will be located, archaeological monitoring of the construction project will be conducted. A Special Provision for the construction contract will be submitted in accordance with 36 CFR 800.11(a) Planning for Discovery. The contract stipulation will ensure that a staff archaeologist with the Georgia Department of Transportation will monitor all land disturbing activities including, but not limited to excavation and drilling within the project's area of potential environmental effect. The monitoring will include the recovery, recording, and reporting of all subsurface archaeological features or artifact concentrations located. If any such features or concentrations are located during monitoring, land disturbing activity will be halted to provide sufficient time for the Department archaeologist, in consultation with the State Historic Preservation Officer, to evaluate their significance by applying National Register criteria, and allowing their proper excavation and recovery.