Phase II Archaeological Evaluation at Site 9DD52, in Dade County, Georgia

From December 9 and 15-18, 2003 personnel from the Archaeological Research Laboratory (ARL) at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville conducted a Phase II archaeological evaluation at site 9DD52 in Dade County, Georgia. The survey was conducted in response to a request from the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). TVA proposes to fund a cost share partnership project with Mr. Gene Hixson for the construction of a chicken litter composting and dry storage structure on his farm in Dade County, Georgia. To comply with the requirements of Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, it is necessary to make a good faith effort to identify any historic properties that may be affected by the proposed action, construction, and associated actions. The objectives of the archaeological evaluation were to: 1) identify and evaluate the extent of cultural deposits within a 30x30 m area adjacent to the structure designated by TVA, and 2) assess the eligibility of site 9DD52 for inclusion in the National Register Historic Preservation. The archaeological evaluation consisted of visual inspection of site 9DD52, approximately 1.6 ha (3 .95 acres); discing of the 30x30 m area designated by TVA; surface collection of the 30x30 m area in 5x5 m grid units; hand excavation of four(4) 1x1 m test units; excavation of 14 shovel test pits; and the mechanical stripping of the plow zone of four (4) 1 m wide and 10m long transects. The Phase II archaeological evaluation of site 9DD52 demonstrated that the site is a low density, Early Archaic period lithic scatter on a toe slope overlooking Lookout Creek at approximately creek mile 16. Based on results of the Phase II archaeological evaluation, the site is approximately 100 m east-west by 160 m north-south with the most intensive occupation toward the southern end of the site along the edge of the toe slope. A total of 361 artifacts was recovered from the site; however, the majority of these (N=212) were found to the south and east of the investigated area during shovel testing to determine the site's boundary. Based on the results, the research potential for the portion of the site investigated during the Phase II archaeological evaluation has been exhausted and ARL recommends that no further work is necessary in this portion of the site. In addition, the paucity of artifacts, shallow depth of the plowzone, and lack of cultural features identified during the Phase II archaeological evaluation suggests that it is doubtful significant deposits were impacted by the construction of the chicken litter structure.