HomeMy WebLinkAbout20210298 Ver 1_No National Register Eligible or Listed Archaeological SItes Present PA 18-05-0025_20210324 Project Tracking No.:
“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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NO NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
ELIGIBLE OR LISTED ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES
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
Historic Architecture and Landscapes Group.
PROJECT INFORMATION
Project No: SR 1506 County: Haywood
WBS No: 14C.044181 Document: Minimum Criteria
F.A. No: na Funding: State Federal
Federal Permit Required? Yes No Permit Type: USACE
Project Description:
The project calls for the widening and paving of SR 1506 (James Chapel Road) in Haywood County. The
archaeological Area of Potential Effects (APE) for the project is defined as an approximately 1,000-foot
(304.80 m) long corridor running east from SR 1505 (Bald Creek Road). The corridor is approximately
60 feet (18.29 m) wide measuring 30 feet (9.14 m) from either side of the centerline.
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.
Project Tracking No.:
“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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SUMMARY OF CULTURAL RESOURCES REVIEW
Brief description of review activities, results of review, and conclusions:
NCDOT has conducted an archaeological investigation for the proposed widening and paving of James
Chapel Road in Haywood County, North Carolina. The project area is located north of Canton and plotted
in the southeast corner of the Fines Creek USGS 7.5' topographic quadrangle (Figure 1).
Background Research
A map review and site files search was conducted by Casey Kirby at the Office of State Archaeology
(OSA) on June 4, 2018. No known archaeological sites or previous investigations are identified within or
adjacent to the APE, and only one site (31HW89) has been reported within a mile of the road. In general,
previous archaeological investigations are rare in this section of Haywood County, which have contributed
to a lack of known sites. The one known site, 31HW89, was recorded by the University of North Carolina
at Chapel Hill in 1964 during the Cherokee Archaeological Project. Little information is available about
this precontact site other than its location along Bald Creek, south of the current project area. With
additional work in the region, the presence of more sites is likely as the setting is favorable for early
habitation.
According to the North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office online data base (HPOWEB 2018),
there are no known historic architectural resources within the APE that may yield intact archaeological
deposits.
County and regional maps prior to the 20th century provide no significant information for the project area or
vicinity. By turn of the century, maps begin to depict more accurate details allowing for the project area to
be placed. The 1901 USGS Asheville map displays Bald Creek Road and a trail that follows an alignment
similar to the current James Chapel Road (Figure 2). Three structures are plotted to the south of the trial,
one of which is likely James Chapel Baptist Church. These structures appear to be outside of the APE.
The later 1925 soil map shows a similar picture with the addition of a fourth structure to the north and the
identification of the James Chapel structure near the intersection (Jurney et al. 1925) (Figure 3). Although
early historic structures were in the area, structural remains should be outside the project area and are likely
considered insignificant.
The USDA soil survey map for Haywood County shows the APE consisting almost entirely of the
Cullowhee-Nikwasi complex (CxA) (USDA NRCS 2018) (Figure 4). This series is reported to be situated
on floodplains and subject to frequent flooding. It is considered somewhat poorly drained to very poorly
drained with a 0 to 2 percent slope. The investigation, however, found this to be incorrect. Most of the
project area is situated instead on a sloping stream terrace east of Bald Creek, while the floodplain occupies
the fields to the west and a narrow section adjacent to the creek’s eastern bank. Soils on the terrace are
well drained. According to the property owner, the stream terrace does not flood unlikely the floodplain.
This discrepancy in the soil data initiated subsurface testing.
Fieldwork Results
The archaeological field reconnaissance and survey for the proposed widening and paving of James Chapel
Road was carried out on June 14 and 15, 2018. This included systematic shovel testing at 15-meter (ca.
49.21 feet) intervals on the stream terrace northeast of the bridge over Bald Creek and a surface inspection.
Two addition judgmental shovel tests were placed west of the creek on either side of the road. These were
both located within the floodplain. No shovel testing occurred in areas with obvious disturbance such as in
the Little Creek modified channel south of James Chapel Road or on impervious surfaces. A total of 13
shovel tests (STs) were initially excavated of which one was positive for precontact materials (see Figure
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“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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4). Two additional STs were excavated at 7.5-m intervals in order to delineate the site within the project
limits. No shovel tests were placed outside of the APE, since this area will not be impacted. The finds
were recorded as archaeological site 31HW616. The subsequent surface inspection, which was at 100
percent in the fields west of the creek, failed to identify any archaeological resources.
James Chapel Road runs east to west (see Figure 4). Little Creek is located along the southern edge of the
road, and Bald Creek is crossed at Bridge No. 306 near the western end. These waterways are part of the
French Broad drainage basin. The APE is situated mostly on a sloping stream terrace east of Bald Creek,
but a floodplain makes up the fields west of Bald Creek and extends approximate 25 m (ca. 82 ft) to the
east as well before the land rises. Properties consist of farmlands with a large pasture to the east and
smaller corn fields to the west (Figures 5 and 6). The corn fields were recently planted and provided
excellent surface visibility at the time of the investigation. James Chapel Baptist Church is to the southeast
with all structures outside of the APE. Pavement and a Baptism pool in Little Creek (just east of the drive
over the creek) are the only features associated with the Church within the project limits. Modern
development is minimal, although Little Creek appears to have been modified or straightened over time.
Other disturbances such as soil erosion are moderate, but plowing is severe with no intermediate soil layer
visible between the plowzone and subsoil in soil along the terrace.
The soil stratigraphy on the terrace is fairly consistent with two strata. The surface layer or plowzone is
generally thinnest near the creek and gradually thickens as the landform rises. It is a dark yellowish brown
(10YR 4/4) loam with heavy gravel that is 25 to 55 cm (ca. 10 to 22 in) thick. This layer is followed by
subsoil, which is a strong brown (7.5YR 5/6) clay loam with little to no gravel. Occasionally, gravel in the
plowzone was too compacted or the rocks too large for excavations to reach subsoil. This was usually
around 40 cm (ca. 16 in) below the surface. The soil stratigraphy in the floodplain displays three strata.
The upper is a dark brown (10YR 3/3) loam mottled with yellowish brown (10YR 5/4) loam that extends
approximately 25 to 40 cm (ca. 10 to 16 in) below the surface. Gravel is heavy in this layer east of Bald
Creek, but very light to the west. The second layer is a brown (10YR 5/3) sandy loam mottled with
yellowish brown (10YR 5/4) loam that is 10 to 20 cm (ca. 4 to 8 in) thick. Again, gravel is strong to the
east and nearly absent in the west. Finally, the third stratum is a dark grayish brown (10YR 4/2) clay loam
that reaches at least 60 cm (ca. 24 in) below the surface. No gravel was seen in this layer.
31HW616
Site 31HW616 is a precontact site situated on the stream terrace northeast of the Bald Creek and Little
Creek confluence (see Figure 4). The site was found during ST excavations as previously mentioned.
Surface visibility was poor in this section of the APE with dense grass. STs were placed at 15-meter
intervals along one transects running east-west. When cultural resources were identified additional shovel
tests were placed at 7.5-m interval on either side the positive tests. No STs were excavated inside the
pasture to the north, since this was outside APE. Furthermore, Little Creek prevented any testing to the
south. As a result, the site is bounded by negative tests to the east and west and Little Creek to the south.
The site very likely extends north into the pasture. The current property owner confirmed this during a
conversation. When the pasture was previously cultivated, he told of collected projectile points across the
terrace up to 100 meters (ca. 328 ft) away. Within the current project limits, a total of five shovel tests
were excavated at the site with three being positive for cultural material covering approximately 300 square
meters.
Disturbance at the site consists of past plowing and moderate soil erosion. Although the USDA soil survey
shows the site as situated upon the somewhat to very poorly drained Cullowhee-Nikwasi complex, the field
investigation confirms that the soils were actually well drained. The soils are likely the adjacent Statler
loam (SuA) series, which are described as being well drained and found on terraces.
Project Tracking No.:
“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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The artifact assemblage is light consisting of nine pieces of quartz debitage, two pieces of chert debitage,
and a ceramic sherd (Table 1). All were recovered from the upper soil layer or plowzone in mixed context.
The ceramic sherd possibly dates to the Middle Woodland period. It could belong to the Conestee phase,
but this is uncertain. Its temper consists of fine sand, while the surface is fabric impressed. The lack of
information is due to its small size having been battered by plowing. The presence of quartz debitage,
however, suggests an earlier Archaic period of occupation. It is highly likely several precontact
occupations are found across the terrace.
Within the current project limits, site 31HW616 lacks the potential to yield important information regarding
the precontact occupation of the region. The artifacts were recovered in low numbers and in a disturbed
context. No intact deposits were identified either and appear unlikely. As a result, site 31HW616 is
recommended not eligible for the National Register, and no further work is required within the APE.
However, the eligibility for that section of site 31HW616, which extends outside of the APE to the north
and was not part of this investigation, will remain unevaluated.
Summary and Recommendations
The archeological investigations for the proposed widening and paving of James Chapel Road in Haywood
County identified no significant archaeological resources within the APE. Although one site (31HW616)
was recorded, it was determine not eligible for the National Register within the project limits due to a low
artifact density, no vertical or horizontal integrity, and no evidence of intact deposits. Therefore, this site
would not contribute any new or important information. No further archaeological work is recommended
for this road improvement project. However, if design plans change to impact areas outside of the APE,
then further archaeological work will be required. Site 31HW616 extends outside the APE to the north and
this portion of the site was not evaluated for the National Register during this investigation.
SUPPORT DOCUMENTATION
See attached: Map(s) Previous Survey Info Photos Correspondence
Signed:
6/27/18
C. Damon Jones Date
NCDOT ARCHAEOLOGIST
Project Tracking No.:
“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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REFERENCES CITED
HPOWEB
2018 North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office GIS Web Service.
http://gisNCDCR.gov/hpoweb/. Accessed June 11, 2018.
Jurney, Robert C., William Lee, Samuel Davidson, and William Davis
1925 Soil Map of Haywood County, North Carolina. United States Government Printing
Office, Washington, D.C. On file at North Carolina Collections, University of North
Carolina, Chapel Hill.
United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Services (USDA NRCS)
2018 Jackson County Soil Survey. Available online at
http://webosilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/. Accessed June 11, 2018.
United States Geological Survey (USGS)
1901 Asheville, North Carolina-South Carolina 30 minute quadrangle map. Reprinted
1907.
1967 Fines Creek, North Carolina, 7.5-minute quadrangle map.
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form for the Amended Minor Transportation Projects as Qualified in the 2007 Programmatic Agreement.
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Figure 1. Topographic Setting of the Project Area, Fines Creek (1967), NC, USGS 7.5′ Topographic
Quadrangle.
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“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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Figure 2. The 1901 USGS Asheville topographic map showing the approximate location of the project
area.
Figure 3. The 1925 Soil Map of Haywood County showing the project area.
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“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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Figure 4. Aerial View of the project area showing soils, contours, development, ST placement, and the
location of site 31HW616.
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form for the Amended Minor Transportation Projects as Qualified in the 2007 Programmatic Agreement.
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Figure 5. View of pasture and project area east of Bald Creek, looking west.
Figure 6. View of fields and the project area west of Bald Creek, looking east.
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“NO NATIONAL REGISTER ELIGIBLE OR LISTED ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES PRESENT”
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Table 1. Site 31HW616 Artifact Inventory.
Bag Prov Strat Depth Artifact Description Qty
1 ST 3 I 0–30 Debitage Quartz; Tertiary Flake 1
1 ST 3 I 0–30 Debitage Quartz; Tertiary Flakes 2
1 ST 3 I 0–30 Debitage Quartz; Tertiary Flake 1
2 ST 4 I 0–30 Debitage Quartz; Tertiary Flake 1
2 ST 4 I 0–30 Ceramic Possible Connestee Fabric Impressed 1
3 ST 5 I 0–30 Debitage Quartz; Tertiary Flakes 4
3 ST 5 I 0–30 Debitage Chert; Tertiary Flakes 2
Total 12