Archeological Resources Survey for U.S. 27 Improvements in Miller, Early, Clay, Randolph, and Stewart Counties, Georgia

An archeological resources survey was carried out for four separate Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) projects in Miller, Early, Clay, Randolph, and Stewart Counties where improvements to the U.S. 27 highway corridor along the western side of the State are planned. Fieldwork consisted of intensive pedestrian survey and subsurface testing for the entire length of the 400-foot wide highway corridor over a combined distance of approximately 60 miles. The Phase I archeological survey was carried out in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and with parallel requirements in Georgia State law. The purpose of the survey was to identify archeological resources in and adjacent to the highway right-of-way, to assess the potential eligibility of identified sites for listing on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), and to recommend mitigation alternatives for potentially eligible sites. Thirty-nine sites were identified as the result of the survey: 24 solely prehistoric, 8 solely historic, and 7 with both prehistoric and historic components. Of the 32 prehistoric sites located, 10 derive from the Archaic period, 8 from the Woodland period, and 1 from the Mississipian period; 13 contained no temporally diagnostic artifacts. Archeological survey in the project areas revealed that there are very few places without some trace of prehistoric use. Off-site archeological occurrences proved to be much more abundant than formally recognized archeological sites. Eight of the prehistoric sites located in the four project areas have the potential to be eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. For these sites, it is recommended that Phase II investigations be conducted before a decision is made to avoid, adversely impact, or mitigate impacts by excavation. Three of the historic sites identified are potentially eligible for the National Register. Avoidance is recommended for these sites because they have structural as well as archeological components. No further work is recommended at the remaining 28 sites before planned improvements to U.S. 27 are carried out.