Archaeological Survey and Site Evaluation of Albany Nursery WMA, Dougherty County, Georgia

In September and October 1999, Brockington and Associates, Inc. conducted archaeological survey and site testing at the Albany Nursery Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Dougherty County, Georgia. This project was conducted through the Georgia Department ofNatural Resources (DNR), Historic Preservation Division (HPD) for the Georgia DNR, Wildlife Resources Division, Game Management Section in compliance with the Georgia Environmental Policy Act (GEPA 1991 ). This project included archaeological testing of two previously recorded sites (9DU121 and 9DU122 [Rogers 1999]), and survey of a previously unsurveyed 12 acre tract located east ofKiokee Creek in the WMA. Two previously umecorded sites, 9DU130 and 9DU131 were identified in this area. The boundary delineated for 9DU121 consists of a 350 meter by 130 meter area in pasture and woods on the terrace above Kiokee Creek. In addition to 20 meter interval shovel tests, two 1 by 1 meter test units were excavated in the areas of highest artifact concentrations. A low density surface and subsurface scatter of prehistoric artifacts is spread over a large area in this field. Ceramics recovered suggest site occupation from the Late Woodland-Middle Mississippian subperiods. Testing indicates that agricultural activity at 9DU121 has damaged the integrity of the site. The research potential of this site has been fully achieved at the present level of investigations. Thus, 9DU121 is recommended ineligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). The site boundary of 9DU122 consists of a 300 meter by 150 meter area east of Kiokee Creek. Close interval shovel tests indicate that the site is situated on a large, low rise in a swamp, and extends beyond the property boundary of the WMA. Two 1 by 1 meter test units were also excavated at this site. The ceramic assemblage recovered suggests site occupation from the Late Woodland-Middle Mississippian subperiods. Site testing revealed high artifact density and intact soils, suggesting that intact subsurface features could exist. Site 9DU122 is recommended eligible for the NRHP under Criterion D (archaeology) for its potential to contribute significant information on the prehistory of Southwest Georgia through additional archaeological research. Site 9DU130 is also situated on a distinctive rise above the swamp. Shovel testing ended at the southern boundary of the Albany WMA, but it is likely that the site extends beyond this point. Close interval shovel tests (10m intervals) and one 50 by 50 em test unit were excavated at 9DU130. Testing at 9DU130 indicates low subsurface artifact density. No diagnostic lithics or ceramics were recovered from 9DU130, and no evidence of intact subsurface features or dense artifact deposits were identified. It is unlikely that additional archaeological investigations in the tested portion of 9DU130 would yield additional information important to understanding prehistoric lifeways in the project region. However, the site size, and the nature of components outside the Albany Nursery WMA property boundary are undetermined. Without this information we cannot recommend that the entire site is ineligible for the NRHP. Thus, 9DU130 is recommended potentially eligible for theNRHP. Site 9DU131 was initially recorded within the southern portion of 9DU122 (Rogers 1999). Close interval shovel testing results indicate that 9DU131 is a separate site, situated on a distinctive long, narrow, high landform, and separated from 9DU122 by a 55 meter wide area which is normally swampy. Close interval shovel tests and three 50 by 50 em test units excavated at this site indicate relatively high subsurface artifact density on the highest part of the landform, in the northern portion of the site. This site also extends beyond the WMA property boundary. A single diagnostic artifact recovered indicated an Early Archaic presence. Site 9DU131 is recommended eligible for the NRHP under Criterion D (archaeology) for its potential to contribute significant information on the prehistory of Southwest Georgia through additional archaeological research. Sites 9DU122 and 9DU131 should be protected from future disturbance. Testing results at 9DU130 suggest that if the site was determined NRHP eligible, the portion of the site within the Albany Nursery WMA property boundary would be considered a non-significant part of this resource. Site 9DU121 is recommended ineligible for the NRHP. The full archaeological research potential of the site was achieved at the testing level, and no further management considerations are recommended for this site.