Cultural Resources Survey and Evaluative Testing Proposed Macon/Bibb County Raw Water Reservoir and Dam site, Jones County, Georgia

During June, September and October, 1989, Webb Diversified Consulting conducted an intensive coverage cultural resource survey of approximately 253 hectares (626 acres) in Jones County, Georgia. The project area is destined to become a raw drinking water reservoir for Macon/Bibb County and therefore requires a Corps of Engineers 404 permit. The permit dictates compliance with Section 106 of the Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (Public Law 89-655; 80 STAT.915; 16 u.s.c. 470) as amended. A review of the state site files and the National Register of Historic Places revealed no previously recorded sites within the survey area. A review of historic maps and aerial . photographs revealed 3 historic resources within the project area - 2 structural complexes and a cemetery. All of these resources were relocated and are discussed in this report. Surface survey and shovel testing revealed 17 sites and 8 isolated finds ranging from prehistoric lithic scatters to early 20th century house and still sites. As a result of survey findings and testing conducted from October through December 1989 and January 1990, the Arthur Tarver Site (JRW-1-11) has been recommended as "clearly eligible" for the National Register. Intact structural remains dating to the Ocmulgee Fields phase were discovered. Intact remains dating to the Lamar, Swift Creek/Napier and Deptford/Mossy Oak cultures may also be present. Because portions of JRW-1-11 will be adversely effected by the reservoir project and the site can be linked to the Creek Indian Nation, data recovery under a memorandum of agreement is recommended. As many as 65 human burials were discovered at the Redfield Cemetery (JRW- 1-16). Based on research and exploratory testing, the burials are likely to date to the second half of the 19th century. These intact human remains could be the source of important biological and mortuary information, if treated as an archeological property. JRW-1-16 has been abandoned and at present, no descendants of those buried in the cemetery have been located. It is therefore the opinion of the principal investigator that this site be considered "clearly eligible" for the National Register. If JRW-1-16 is viewed as eligible, then it would adversely affected by project activities. These effects can be mitigated by recordation, removal, analysis and reburial/ curation of human remains under the aforementioned memorandum of agreement. Because they retain little or no potential for yielding significant cultural information, cultural clearance is recommended for the remaining 15 sites.