Archaeological Testing of 9CH872 Phase II of the Godley Tract, Chatham County, Georgia, Management Summary

Archaeological testing investigations were conducted at 9CH872 in the Phase II portion of the Godley Tract 2-5 October 2000. Previous survey investigations at 9CH872 determined the site potentially eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). The current testing investigations were conducted for The Branigar Organization to determine definitively the NRHP eligibility of the site. This Management Summary presents the preliminary results of testing investigations at 9CH872. We recommend 9CH872 not eligible for the NRHP. The site warrants no further management consideration. Site 9CH872 occupies approximately 5.5 hectares (210 by 260 meters) in the 1,364 hectare Phase II portion of the Godley Tract. Figure 1 shows the location of the site on the USGS Meldrim quadrangle. The site is located in an area of 10-15 year old planted pines. The pines are planted on rows raised approximately 0.3-0.5 meters and spaced approximately three to four meters apart. There is a moderate understory of small hardwoods and scrub brush. The site is bounded to the north and west by wetlands. An old railroad grade running approximately northwest-southeast passes along the southwest corner of the site. Unpaved St. Augustine Creek Road is located approximately 120 meters south of 9CH872. Silviculture has been practiced throughout the Godley Tract, including the site area, since the land was acquired by the Union Camp Corporation (now the International Paper Company). Timber planting in the tract involved three processes. Initially, areas are prepared (bedded) for planting. Previously wooded areas are mechanically chopped and/or raked with implements pulled behind bulldozers to break and remove stumps of former trees. Then, the area is disked (with 81 cm harrow blades) and plowed to create beds. Seedlings are planted in the raised furrows. Chemical treatments to the young trees are conducted by air (for fertilizers) and by tractor (for pesticides). After 25-30 years, the timber can be harvested. Clear cutting with mechanical removal (using skidders and trucks) has been employed throughout the harvested areas. Once cleared, areas are again subjected to the initial bedding preparations outlined above. Site 9CH872 was initially recorded during a survey for a proposed borrow pit site (Hicks 1997). Investigators returned to the site during a survey of the Phase II portion of the Godley Tract and determined the site potentially eligible for the NRHP (Bailey 1997). Investigators from these two initial surveys of site 9CH872 recovered artifacts indicating a Pre-Contact Middle Archaic to Late Woodland period occupation, as well as an eighteenth century Post-Contact occupation. Recent archaeological testing of 9CH872 recovered artifacts associated with a Pre-Contact Middle Archaic to Mississippian occupation, as well as an eighteenth century Post-Contact occupation. No cultural features were encountered in the recent testing investigations of the site. We recommend 9CH872 not eligible for the NRHP. The main goal of the testing investigations at 9CH872 was to determine if intact cultural features and artifact deposits are present beneath the disturbed soil that can yield significant, new information about the Pre-Contact and Post-Contact cultures of the region. This was accomplished through the completion of field investigations at the site. Laboratory analysis of the artifacts recovered during the testing investigations is ongoing. Archival research that may yield information about the eighteenth century occupation of the site also is ongoing. A detailed report documenting the archaeological testing investigations at 9CH872 is being prepared.