Cultural Resources Survey Mechanical Site Preparation Project Solicitation Number R8-3-77-3

The purpose of the survey was to locate and determine the nature and extent of cultural resources on lands to be impacted by mechanical site preparation activities. The phrase "mechanical site preparation" refers to one of several ways through which a previously logged tract of land is cleared of extant timber and vegetation preparatory to tree planting: On delineated areas site preparation shall include shearing off with a KG or V blade standing pine and hardwood trees and stems to a maximum stump height of 6" and keeping soil disturbance to a minimum... All downed stems and brush shall be piled into parallel, compact windrows ...windowing will be with a brush rake equipped with adjustable skid shoes to control tooth penetration... (U. S. Forest Service, 1976). The lands upon which mechanical site prep activities were to occur were located in Oglethorpe, Greene, Putnam, Jasper, and Jones Counties. Prior to on-the-site inspection, the archaeological site files of the University of Georgia were examined and deeds to each tract of land were interrogated. The records search clearly indicated that the lands adjacent to Scull Shoals in Greene County would be most sensitive to ground disturbing activities, and the survey was designed to address the potential existence of prehistoric and historic values. The fieldwork began on December 8, 1976, and was completed December 21, 1976. Aided by Don Credille, Robert C. Ogletree, and Roger Frantz, the author checked each tract of land by pedestrian survey. Those areas where artifacts were found or which appeared likely to contain cultural resources were tested by shovel cuts and cores. A gasoline-powered auger was employed extensively in attempting to locate subsurface artifacts and midden. Following the field survey, aerial photographs of the project area were taken from a 1,600 foot altitude. The intensive archaeological survey revealed the presence of prehistoric and/or historic resources on tracts within four of the six project compartments. These tracts were located near major water sources and were ideally suited to early agriculture and logging activities. Excluding the foundation and chimney of a 19th Century dwelling, no intact sites were discovered.