Archaeological Resources Survey and Testing for the Proposed Pumpkinvine Creek Sewerline, Paulding County, Georgia

An intensive archaeological resources survey was carried out between July l0th and 14th, 2006, for the proposed Pumpkinvine Creek Sewerline, in Paulding County, Georgia. The total original length of the surveyed corridor was 7.9 km (4.9 mi). At that time, an additional 0.8 km (0.5 mi) reroute was also surveyed to avoid Site 9P A6. Later (on October 31, 2006), more shovel testing took place at 9P A6 to further define the site limits (in accordance with the review comments received from the USACE). Phase II Testing then occurred at Site 9PA479 (first located during the original survey) on November 27, 2006 (in accordance with the review comments received from HPD), at which time a 0.2 km (0.13 mi) reroute around that site was also shovel tested. The entire project was carried out in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act by personnel qualified under 36 CFR Part 61. The project corridor lies in the northeast comer of Paulding County, nearly midway between Dallas and Cartersville, primarily along the floodplain of Pumpkinvine Creek. Background research was conducted using Georgia's Natural, Archaeological, and Historical Geographic Information System (NARHGIS) maintained by the Department of Natural Resources, Historic Preservation Division (HPD), in Atlanta, and the Georgia State Site Files (GASF), at the University of Georgia, in Athens. Seventy-three (73) previously recorded archaeological sites were identified within 1 mile of the project corridor, but only one of these (9PA6) previously identified historic or prehistoric archaeological resources was located within the right-of-way of the proposed project corridor. Two archaeological sites (9P A6 and 9P A4 79) and two isolated finds (IF #s 1 and 2) were identified during fieldwork along the original corridor. Site 9P A6 (a dense Woodland period artifact scatter) was previously recorded in 1974, though its NRHP-eligibility was never established. Based on our findings, we recommend it eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). A reroute of the proposed sewerline was surveyed to avoid the site, and excavation of shovel tests outside the right-of-way was conducted to define the site limits. Only a single isolated find (IF #3) was identified within the reroute (a chert flake), and Site 9PA6 will be successfully avoided by the proposed sewerline. Site 9PA479 (a concentrated surface and subsurface scatter of Cartersville prehistoric material) was not previously recorded, but it lies on the opposite side of the creek from Site 9PA12, and may be a related occurrence. After Phase II Testing revealed intact subsurface deposits and a dense artifact assemblage (outside of the original corridor), we recommend that 9PA479 also be considered eligible for inclusion in the NRHP. A second reroute was then surveyed around 9PA479; no additional archaeological materials were recovered, and that site will also be successfully avoided. The proposed project will not affect any significant archaeological resources; both NRHP eligible sites (9PA6 and 9PA479) in the original project corridor will be successfully avoided by the proposed reroutes, while none of the other resources (the three isolated finds) are recommended eligible. No additional archaeological resources investigations are recommended for this project.