Phase I Cultural Resources Survey of the Proposed Imerys YWG-1 and YWG-104 Mining Areas, Clascock and Warren Counties, Georgia

From 28 October to 1 November 2002, Brockington and Associates, Inc., conducted intensive cultural resources survey within the proposed YWG-1 04 and YWG-1 mining areas of Imerys Clays, Inc.'s Deepstep Lands and Mines Properties. The survey was conducted for Imerys Clays, Inc., to determine the project's effect on significant cultural resources and in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHP A) of 1996, as amended. Background research documented no previously recorded archaeological sites or historic structures in the project area. Archaeological survey consisted of the excavation of screened shovel tests at 30 meter (100ft) intervals across the project areas. Additionally, disturbed or sloped areas were visually inspected. Soils ranged from gray sandy loam overlying white sandy loam, to brown sandy loam overlying pale brown sand, to brown sandy loam overlying yellowish sandy loam with red clay at the base. Depth of the shovel tests varied from 30 em (12 in) to approximately 70 em (28 in). One archaeological site was recorded. Architectural resources survey consisted of vehicular and pedestrian reconnaissance of the project area and its surrounding viewshed to identify any properties exceeding 50 years in age and which might be eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). Four architectural resources were identified during field survey, Resource GA-125-001, Resource GA-125-002, Resource GA-125-003, and Resource GA-125-004. Resource GA-125-001 is a circa 1907 hall-parlor house. It has undergone many additions and improvements causing a loss in integrity of material, workmanship, feeling and design. It is recommended not eligible for the NRHP. Resource GA-125-002, Zoar United Methodist Church, is a circa 1900 community church. Resource GA-125-002 suffers from a loss of design, materials, workmanship, and feeling due to many additions. Therefore it is recommended not eligible for the NRHP. Resource GA-125-003 is a circa 1915 single-crib bam. It is covered by vegetation and suffers from neglect. It is recommended not eligible for the NRHP. Resource GA-125-004 is a circa 1915 double-pen tenant house. It is now overgrown with vegetation and part of the structure has collapsed. Resource GA-125-004 is recommended not eligible fortheNRHP. Architectural resource clearance is recommended. Site 9GL9 is a partially raised house structure, with a standing chimney, a dug well, and two standing outbuildings. Site 9GL9 has been disturbed by previous scraping around the house structure. The scraping around the structure may have caused the collapse of the building. No subsurface artifacts or features were found around the house structure or between the buildings. Very few artifacts were found on the surface with the exception of construction materials on the raised part of the structure. Due to the ground disturbance at this site, the probability of intact subsurface cultural features is low. This site is recommended not eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). Cultural resource clearance is recommended.