Report of Assessment of Stone Mounds, Landlot 998, Section 2, 2nd District, Fulton County, Georgia

On Saturday, April 28, 1984,Trilobite Research was contacted by Mr. William E. Schmidt, Alpharetta, Georgia to assess a series of stone mounds located on his and the adjacent property of Mr. William E. Patterson. The purpose of the assessment, made upon the request of the property owners, was to determine what impact would occur to the mounds upon the construction of high voltage transmission lines by Oglethorpe Power Company, a Georgia rural electric cooperative. It was further requested that an attempt be made to ascertain if the stone mounds represent prehistoric human activity. A walking survey along the center line of the proposed 100-foot right of way of the transmission line was made. From approximately 10 +00 to 14 +00 along the south side slopes of an east-west trending ridge, clusters of stone "mounds" were noted. All of the "mounds" were on the slopes of the ridges and many were near erosion control terraces. These terraces' age were not determined. Trees which were present were on the average 8+ inches in diameter and larger. All of the stone mounds appear to have been randomly constructed. There was no apparent systematic arrangement to any of the mounds and the stone within them. Observations were made outside of the proposed transmission line right-of-way. At several locations nearer to the top of the ridgeline were areas which were free of any outcrops of boulders. These areas were situated above the stone "mounds". Other areas are present outside the transmission right of way and near the ridgeline where no apparent clearing had occurred. Area-wise, the non-cleared areas appeared smaller than those areas cleared of stone. Based upon the initial observations, none of the stone mounds appear to be of prehistoric age. The most probable explanation of their presence is attributable to clearing activities associated with agriculture. This explanation is the most likely based upon those facts set forth above i.e. 1) the presence of cleared ridge tops above the mounds; 2) the lack of apparent systematic arrangement of the stones within the mounds; 3) the presence of terraces and terrace remains associated with 19th and 20th century farming/agricultural activities. No cultural remains were noted in the 10 +00 to 14 +00 area. The construction of the transmission line through the area set forth above does not appear to effect any prehistoric remains, this area being from 10 +00 to 14 +00 stations in the transmission line right of way.