An Archaeological Survey of the Proposed Terminal Expansion Area at the Pickens County Airport

In compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and amendments thereto, the proposed terminal expansion area at the Pickens County Airport, was surveyed with respect to archaeological resources, especially those on or eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). The survey was conducted by Tohopeka Archaeological Consulting for Pickens County. The survey encompassed an area of approximately 20-acres, to be used to accommodate new hangars and future airport development. A roadway and a 50-foot taxiway would be constructed for the length of the property. The archaeological survey consisted of an intensive pedestrian survey and judgmental shovel testing, due to the steep topography and the previous clearing and grubbing that occurred prior to survey. The goals of the survey were to locate, document and evaluate the NRHP eligibility of any archaeological properties located within the proposed project's area of potential effect (APE).One new archaeological site was recorded as a result of the survey. Field Site (FS) 1 represents the remains of an early to mid 20th Century domestic structure, with a standing bam and small outbuilding. Only the chimney remained from the dwelling prior to clearing and grubbing, which has since been reduced to a small pile of rubble consisting of modem brick and fieldstone. A small scatter of plain whiteware (N=11) and a single fragment of jadeite were noted on the ground surface and left in the field. A full site description follows in the report text. Due to low artifact density and diversity and overall lack of integrity this site is recommended ineligible for inclusion in the NRHP. Also, a single medial fragment of a quartz biface was recovered from the ground surface near the western boundary of the project area and recorded as an Isolated Occurrence. No other cultural material was observed. Therefore, it is concluded that the proposed terminal expansion area at the Pickens County Airport would not affect archaeological resources on or eligible for inclusion in the NRHP.