Survey and Assessment of Archaeological Resources within Chatuge Woods Park, Towns County, Georgia

On the 4th and 5th day of April 1988, an archaeological survey was conducted by personnel from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, on a tract of Tennessee Valley Authority property (TVA Tract #XCHR-42R) bordering Chatuge Lake in Towns County, Georgia. The tract, known locally as Chatuge Woods Park, is designated for future transfer to Towns County through a permanent recreational easement to be granted by the Tennessee Valley Authority. The easement, if granted, would allow updating of existing facilities as well as extensive development of the remaining property. The present reconnaissance was performed to meet the statutory requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (P.L. 91-190) and the Archaeological and Historical Protection Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-291) as stipulated by 36 CFR VIII 800. Following a walkover of the 40.6 acre tract, three investigative techniques were chosen as most appropriate for the survey: 1) shoreline and reservoir bank examination, 2) surface collection of exposed areas, and 3) shovel testing of relatively level vegetated areas. Prehistoric cultural remains (lithic) were encountered during each of the three phases. However, with one exception, all material located was extremely light density. Only one of the eight areas where cultural material was discovered produced a potentially diagnostic artifact (XCHR-42R-1). This single, tiny, sand tempered sherd (1cm) was so small, however, that meaningful chronological placement is impossible. The only artifact-bearing location encountered that produced surface densities greater than 1 lithic artifact/500M2 was located on a seasonally inundated peninsula exposed by low pool levels of Chatuge Lake (XCHR-42R-2). This is the only archaeological resource of consequence that was located during the survey. However, XCHR-42R-2 will not be affected by proposed development, and its depositional integrity may have already been destroyed by repeated, periodic inundation. No pre-20th century historic artifacts were noted during the survey. The extremely low artifact densities revealed by the present survey within Chatuge Woods Park strongly suggest that there are no significant archaeological properties preserved within the tract that could meet the requirements for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places. Therefore, it is suggested that proposed development be allowed to proceed if scheduled.