20191579 Ver 1_PA 17-08-0018 Edgecombe (NHP)_20191118

Project Tracking No.:
17-08-0018
NO NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
°.. ELIGIBLE OR LISTED ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES
I? a...
PRESENT FORM
This form only pertains to ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES for this project. It is not ''•.: '®
valid for Historic Architecture and Landscapes. You must consult separately with the 4
Historic Architecture and Landscapes Group.
PROJECT INFORMATION
Project No.
WBS No:
F.A. No:
Bridge 54
17BP.4.R.101
Federal Permit Required?
County: Edgecombe
Document: MCC
Funding: ® State ❑ Federal
® Yes ❑ No Permit Type: USACE
Project Description: This project proposes to replace Bridge No. 54 on SR 1243 (Leggett Rd) over the
Tar River in Edgecombe County, North Carolina. The archaeological Area of Potential Effects (APE)
encompasses all areas of potential ground disturbing activity. (see attached shape file map).
SUMMARY OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL FINDINGS
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) Archaeology Group reviewed the subject
project and determined:
® There are no National Register listed or eligible ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES present
within the project's area of potential effects. (Attach any notes or documents as needed)
❑ No subsurface archaeological investigations were required for this project.
❑ Subsurface investigations did not reveal the presence of any archaeological resources.
® Subsurface investigations did not reveal the presence of any archaeological resources
considered eligible for the National Register.
❑ All identified archaeological sites located within the APE have been considered and all
compliance for archaeological resources with Section 106 of the National Historic
Preservation Act and GS 121-12(a) has been completed for this project.
Brief description of review activities, results of review, and conclusions:
To determine the cultural resource potential of the APE, numerous sources of information were
considered. First, preliminary construction design, funding, and other data was examined for defining
the potential impacts to the APE ground surfaces and for determining the level of effort necessary for
compliance. In this case, the project is state -funded with federal (USACE) interaction and subject to
Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.
Next, a map review and site file search was conducted at the Office of State Archaeology (OSA) on
Thursday, September 14, 2017. One previously documented archaeological site (31ED1) is located within
or adjacent to the APE. This site may extend into the APE along the eastern side of NC 97. Examination
of National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), State Study Listed (SL), Locally Designated (LD),
Determined Eligible (DE), and Surveyed Site (SS) properties employing resources available on the North
Carolina State Historic Preservation Office (NCSHPO) website demonstrated that no resources with
"NO NATIONAL RF.GISTF,R ELIGIBLE OR LISTED ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES PRF,SF,N7
form for the Amended Minor Transportation Projects as Qualified in the 2007 Programmatic Agreement.
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Project Tracking No.:
17-08-0018
potential archaeological deposits were located in the vicinity of the APE. Also, historic maps of
Edgecombe County were appraised for former structure locations, land use patterns, cemeteries, or
other confirmation of historic occupation in the project vicinity. Archaeological/historical reference
materials were reviewed as well.
In addition, topographic, geologic, flood boundary, lidar, and NRCS soil survey maps were referenced for
the evaluation of geomorphological, pedeological, hydrological, and other environmental -type elements
that may have resulted in past occupation at this location. Finally, review of aerial and on -ground images
(NCDOT Spatial Data Viewer, Google, ARC-GIS) afforded first-hand perspectives of the overall study area
which were useful for assessing localized disturbances, both natural and human induced, which
compromise the integrity of archaeological sites/deposits. Based on environmental determinants, the
APE is considered to have a high potential for the recovery of archaeological artifacts, deposits, or
features. Site 31ED1 must be surveyed within the APE and those portions of the site must be assessed
for NRHP eligiblity. An archaeological survey will therefore be recommended for the project.
An in -field reconnaissance and subsurface survey was conducted by NCDOT archaeologists Scott
Halvorsen and Damon Jones in late 2017. First, a visual inspection of the entire APE was completed. No
above -ground historic features or cemeteries were encountered. Next, two transects were established
west of the Tar River, approximately 100ft from the SR 1243 center -line, on each side of the road. Shovel
test locations were numbered sequentially east to west and excavated at 30 meter intervals. Transect 1,
on the southern side of the road, contained a total of 5 shovel test pits. Transect 2, on the northern side
of the road in a corn field, contained a total of 4 shovel test pits. The typical shovel test pit along
transect 1 conatined a first stratum of 10YR3/2 sandy silt loam to 10 —15 cmbs atop a second stratum of
10YR4/4 sandy silt loam. Stratum 3 consisted of a clay sub -soil. The typical shovel test pit along transect
2 contained a first soil stratum of 10YR4/3 silty sand loam to 20 — 30 cmbs atop a second stratum of
10YR5/6 sandy silt loam. Stratum 3 contained 7.5YR5/8 strong brown clay sub -soil. No cultural artifacts
or features were encountered or observed during the excavation of shovel test pits along transects 1
and 2.
Transect 3 was established along NC 97 within the APE, across from the bridge replacement location.
This was an area directly north of 31ED1. A total of 5 shovel test pits were excavated within the APE
along transect 3 to establish the boundaries of 31ED1 as they relate to the presently defined APE. Shovel
tests were excavated at 30m intervals and numbered sequentially north to south. The typical shovel test
pit along transect 3 consisted of a first stratum of 10YR4/2 sandy silt loam to 25cmbs atop a second
stratum of 10YR4/6 silty sand to 45 — 50 cmbs. Sterile subsoil was encountered at depths below 50
cmbs. All five of the excavated shovel tests along transect 3 were positive for cultural material. Each
shovel test contained between 1-4 small, lithic flakes from both stratum 1 & 2. The present survey of
Bridge 54 has illustrated that archaeological site 31ED1 does extend to the north of its presently defined
boundaries. However, those portions of 31ED1 within the APE are not eligible for inclusion on the
National Register of Historic Places under Criterion A-D. The survey identified undiagnostic prehistoric
flakes in the APE, but the site overall lacks variety and density of cultural materials. No additional
archaeological work is recommended for the project.
Following investigation of the Bridge 54 project area, no further archaeological consultation will be
necessary. Our work found the APE to contain a portion of 31ED1 but the portions of the resource
within the APE are considered not eligible for NRHP inclusion. A finding of "No historic properties
present" is deemed appropriate.
"NO NATIONAL REGISTER ELIGIBLE OR LISTED ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES PRESEN7
form for the Amended Minor Transportation Projects as Qualified in the 2007 Programmatic Agreement.
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Project Tracking No.:
17-08-0018
SUPPORT DOCUMENTATION
See attached: ® Map(s) ® Previous Survey Info
Signed:
NCDOT ARCHAEOLOGIST
❑ Photos ❑Correspondence
Date
"NO NATIONAL REGISTER ELIGIBLE OR LISTED ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES PRESENT"
form for the Amended Minor Transportation Projects as Qualified in the 2007 Programmatic Agreement.
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