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Home My WebLink About20240440 Ver 1_No NRHP Eligible or Listed Archaeological SItes Present PA 21-12-0008_20240319Project Tracking No. 21-12-0008 NO NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES Qoa ELIGIBLE OR LISTED ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES PRESENT FORM D . This form only pertains to ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES for this project. .c It is not valid for Historic Architecture and Landscapes. You must consult "'fl separately with the Historic Architecture and Landscapes Team. PROJECT INFORMATION Project No: BP13-RO20 County: Madison WBSNo: BP13.R020.1 Document: MCC F.A. No: na Funding: ® State ❑ Federal Federal Permit Required? ® Yes ❑ No Permit Type: USACE Project Description: The project calls for the replacement of Bridge No. 36 on SR 1515 (Buckner Branch Road) over Middle Fork Creek in Madison County. The archaeological Area of Potential Effects (APE) for the project is defined as a 600 foot (182.88 m) long corridor running 300 feet (91.44 m) northwest and southeast along Buckner Branch Road from the center of Bridge No. 36. The corridor is approximately 150 feet (45.72 m) wide extending 75 feet (22.86 m) on either side of the road from its present center. A federal permit is anticipated. As a result, this archaeological review was conducted in accordance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's Regulations for Compliance (36 CFR Part 800). SUMMARY OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL FINDINGS The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) Archaeology Team has reviewed the subjectproject and determined: ® There are no National Register listed ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES 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: NC DOT has conducted an intensive archaeological survey and evaluation for the planned replacement of Bridge No. 36 on SR 1515 (Buckner Branch Road) over Middle Fork Creek, located northeast of Mars Hill and southwest of Burnsville in Madison County, North Carolina. The project area is plotted near the northern edge of the Barnardsville USGS 7.5' topographic quadrangle (Figure 1). Background Research A site file search was conducted using data from the Office of State Archaeology (OSA) on December 29, 2022. The southwestern end of the APE was previously investigated as part of TIP R-2518, US 19 Study 2020 PROGRAMMATIC AGREEMENT ARCHAEOLOGY TEAM "NO NATIONAL REGISTER ELIGIBLE OR LISTED ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES PRESENT" FORM 1of13 Project Tracking No. 21-12-0008 Corridor (Mohler et al. 2001; Tippet et al. 1999) (Figure 2). Shovel tests were excavated at 20-m intervals within the project corridor with no positive results in the current APE. However, these investigations did identify and assess four nearby sites (31MD355, 31MD358, 31MD359, and 31MD361). Sites 31MD355, 31MD359, and 31MD361 are located nearly a mile away to the north along Middle Fork Creek. These precontact sites are situated on stream terraces made up of well drained Tate loam. Artifacts collected were mostly lithic material from the surface and subsurface. No buried deposits were identified with the sites suffering from light erosion and cultivation. After extensive testing, all three were determined not eligible for the National Register. Site 31MD358 is located south of the current project also along Middle Fork Creek. It consists of two precontact lithic artifacts from one shovel test excavated in the floodplain. According to the landowner, a larger site is situated on the adjacent terrace, which was outside of the US 19 corridor. It is suggested that these two artifacts were washed or moved during cultivation into the floodplain. The site was recommended not eligible for the National Register due to no stratigraphic integrity. Lastly, site 31MD337 is a precontact isolated find recorded by an amateur archaeologist in 1997. This was a Guilford projectile point fragment found at the base of a hillside along Polly Branch to the northeast. No additional work has been conducted at this site. The results of the US 19 investigations suggest that the stream terraces along Middle Fork Creek have the potential for precontact occupations due to favorable conditions. Therefore, a survey was required for that section of the APE not included in the R-2518 investigations. According to the North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office online data base (HPOWEB 2022), there are no known historic architectural resources that are eligible or listed within the APE that may yield intact archaeological deposits. Most early maps prior to the 20th century show few details concerning the project area making it difficult to place. An approximate location for the project was first identified on the 1902 USGS Mount Mitchell topographic map (Figure 3). This map depicts roads following alignments similar to Buckner Branch Road and US 19. Structures are also shown west of US 19 and southwest of a confluence with Middle Fork Creek and an unnamed tributary. Remnants of these structures were likely destroyed during a realignment of US 19 at a later date. The subsequent 1936 Soil Survey Map for Madison County and later highway maps display the current road alignment with the crossing at or near the current bridge (Hearn et al. 1936) (Figure 4). In addition, these maps show no structures in the project area. In general, it is very unlikely for any significant historic resources to be encountered. The USDA soil survey shows the APE composed of two soil types (USDA NRCS 2022) (see Figure 2). The floodplain is made up of French loam (FrA). This series has a slope of less than 3 percent, subject to occasionally flooding, and considered somewhat poorly drained. Significant resources are not expected on this soil due to persistent wetness. The stream terrace consists of Unison loam (UsB). Slope is 2 to 8 percent, and the soil is well drained. Subsurface testing was recommended for the terrace as it is dry, fairly level, and near fresh water making it suitable for evidence of early settlement activities. Fieldwork Results The archaeological APE is situated along the Middle Fork Creek floodplain and its stream terraces (see Figures 2; Figures 5-9). The road and Bridge 36 run from the northwest to the southeast with Middle Fork Creek draining to the south and joining with California Creek to form Little Ivy Creek. These waterways are part of the French Broad drainage basin. Middle Fork generally runs along the westside of US 19. Near the intersection with US 19 and Buckner Branch Road, the stream bends to the west and runs parallel with Buckner Branch Road in the northeast quadrant before crossing under the bridge. A confluence with an unnamed tributary is just west of the bridge. This tributary has been modified to act as a drainage ditch following along the southern edge of Buckner Branch Road in the southwest quadrant (Figure 10). Another drainage ditch has been dug in the southeast quadrant as well. Properties consists of mostly hay fields/meadows/horse pastures, but residential lawns are along the stream terrace to the northwest. Ground disturbance is limited to the drainage ditches and fill, which has been deposited over the floodplain adjacent to US 19. 2020 PROGRAMMATIC AGREEMENT ARCHAEOLOGY TEAM "NO NATIONAL REGISTER ELIGIBLE OR LISTED ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES PRESENT" FORM 2of13 Project Tracking No. 21-12-0008 The archaeological field survey was carried out on January 27, 2022. The investigations included shovel tests (STs) placed at 15-meter (ca. 49 ft) intervals (see Figures 2). No subsurface testing occurred in areas with standing water or visible and severe ground disturbance. Transect in the floodplain were also halted once it because clear that the soils were saturated with water (hydric) and unlikely to yield cultural material. Soils immediately adjacent to Middle Fork Creek are recent alluvial deposits that are heavily eroded and subject to very frequent flooding. Fill covers the entire northeast quadrant and a portion of the southeast. Testing in these quadrants were limited due to disturbance but were included in the previous R-2518 investigations. Initially, 12 STs (91-4 and 9-15) were excavated with ST 93 being positive for precontact material. An additional three STs (96-8) were excavated to delineate the site at a reduced interval of 7-meter (ca. 23 ft). Positive STs were not chased outside the APE. The site was recorded as 3IMD481. Incidental 20th century items (bottle and window glass fragments, brick fragments, plastic toys, round nails, and unidentified metal hardware) were seen in the plowzone of several shovel tests at the northwestern end. These items are considered modern discards associated with the nearby houses. A surface inspection could not be carried out due to poor visibility from vegetation. Soil stratigraphy within the floodplain consists of either one or three soil layers. STs #4 and 12 contains an upper layer of yellowish brown (I OYR 5/4) wet silt loam that is 10 to 20 cm (ca. 4 to 8 in) thick. This is followed by a strong brown (7.5YR 4/6) wet silt loam, which extends up to 40 cm (ca. 16 in) below the surface. The final layer is a hydric dark grayish brown (10YR 4/3) silty clay that reaches at last 60 cm (ca. 24 in) below the surface. It appears that the soils at these two locations are at a transition from the stream terrace to the floodplain. At STs 95, 13, and 14, the hydric dark grayish brown (10YR 4/3) is present at the surface. These three shovel tests were excavated to 30 cm (ca. 12 in) below the surface before they were halted due to water. Elsewhere in the floodplain, ST 915 in the northeast quadrant yielded 35 cm (ca. 14 in) of fill over a compacted yellowish brown (1 OYR 5/4) silty clay, which could be another fill layer. Along the northern stream terrace, soils varied. STs 91 and 2 have a 30 cm (ca. 12 in) surface layer of brown (10YR 4/3) sandy loam over subsoil, which is yellowish brown (10YR 5/6) clay loam. ST 99 consists of a 10 cm (ca. 4 in) thick upper layer of reddish brown (5YR 4/3) clay, which is likely a mixture of subsoil and the former surface layer. Beneath this is subsoil of red (2.5YR 4/6) clay. ST #10 is in disturbed location. It contains 25 cm (ca. 10 in) of fill that likely originated when the drainage ditch was last dugout. This is followed by 15 cm (ca. 6 in) of very dark grayish brown (1 OYR 3/2) loam mottled with s strong brown (7.5YR 5/6) clay and charcoal. Below this is subsoil, which is a yellowish brown (10YR 5/6) clay. The remaining shovel tests (92, 3, 6-8, and 11) on the terrace consists of three strata. The surface layer is a yellowish brown (I OYR 5/4) loam approximately 20 to 30 cm (ca. 8 to 12 in) thick. The second stratum is a subtle change to a yellowish brown (1 OYR 4/4) silt loam that is 20 cm (ca. 8 in) thick. The final layer is a strong brown (7.5YR 4/6) silty clay subsoil mottled with yellowish red (5YR 4/6) clay that extends at least 60 cm (ca. 24 in) below the surface. ST# 3 and 7 were both positive with cultural material from a precontact period, while all other shovel tests yielded negative results. 31MD481 Site 31MD481 is a low -density precontact site situated on stream terrace, northwest of Middle Fork Creek (Figure 11; see Figures 2). Slope along the terrace is slight, but there is a clear drop onto the floodplain. The site consists of two positive shovel tests (93 and 7) out of four at 7-meter (ca. 23 ft) apart and covers an area measuring approximately 15X20 meters (ca. 49X66 ft). It is bounded by negative shovel tests to the north and south and Buckner Branch Road to the west; however, it is very likely that the site continues outside the APE to the east along the stream terrace. It does not appear that the site crosses Buckner Branch Road and the unnamed tributary towards the west as the terrace slopes down into the floodplain. The site area is clear of trees and structures with the location currently used a meadow between the road and a horse pasture (Figure 12). Past ground disturbance appears limited to farming activities. The site is found on the Unison loam (UsB) soil series, which is considered well drained. As mentioned above, soils encountered within shovel tests consist of 20 to 30 cm (ca. 8 to 12 in) of yellowish brown (1 OYR 2020 PROGRAMMATIC AGREEMENT ARCHAEOLOGY TEAM "NO NATIONAL REGISTER ELIGIBLE OR LISTED ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES PRESENT" FORM 3of13 Project Tracking No. 21-12-0008 5/4) loam (Ap horizon or plowzone) over a 20 cm (ca. 8 in) thick yellowish brown (IOYR 4/4) silt loam (B horizon). This is followed by subsoil, which is a strong brown (7.5YR 4/6) silty clay mottled with yellowish red (5YR 4/6) clay. The artifacts recovered include three pieces of chert debitage dating to an unknown precontact period (Table 1). All three were found in the plowzone (Ap horizon) in mixed context with 20th century material. No buried cultural layers or intact features were observed. Table 1. Site 31MD481 Artifact Inventorv. Bag Prov Strat Depth Artifact Description Qty 1 ST3 I 0-30 Debitage Cheri; Tertiary Flake 1 2 ST7 I 0-20 Debitage Cheri; Tertiary Flake 1 2 ST7 I 0-20 Debitage Cheri, Secondary Flake 1 Total 3 As defined within the APE, site 31MD481 appears to lack the potential to yield important information about regional precontact occupations. The artifacts were recovered in low numbers within a disturbed upper stratum with no evidence of intact cultural deposits. The site lacks integrity and potential for associated features. Site 31MD481 is recommended not eligible for the NRHP under any of the four criteria, and no further work is recommended within the defined project limits. However, the site likely extends to the east, and the uninvestigated site area remains unassessed. Summary and Recommendations The archeological investigations for the proposed replacement of Bridge No. 36 in Madison County identified one site (31MD481) within the project's APE. Site 31MD481 may represent a small section of a much larger precontact site that resides outside of the project limits. That portion of 31MD481, which was investigated within the APE, lacks substantial intact subsurface deposits and the integrity needed to provide important information about the precontact history of the area. Site 31MD481 within the APE is recommended not eligible for the National Register, but the site area outside the APE will remain unassessed. No further archaeological work is required for the proposed replacement of Bridge No. 36 on Buckner Branch Road over Middle Fork Creek in Madison County. However, additional investigations will be needed if the project expands outside of its currently defined APE. This project falls within a North Carolina County in which the Catawba Nation, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, the Cherokee Nation, the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians, and Muscogee (Creek) Nation have expressed an interest. We recommend that you ensure that this documentation is forwarded to these tribes using the process described in the current NCDOT Tribal Protocol and PA Procedures Manual. SUPPORT DOCUMENTATION See attached: ® Map(s) ❑ Previous Survey Info Other: historic map images Signed: ® Photos ❑ Correspondence 2/15/22 C. Damon Jones - Date NCDOT ARCHAEOLOGIST 2020 PROGRAMMATIC AGREEMENT ARCHAEOLOGY TEAM "NO NATIONAL REGISTER ELIGIBLE OR LISTED ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES PRESENT" FORM 4of13 Project Tracking No. 21-12-0008 REFERENCES CITED Hearn, Edward, Eugene Goldston, William Davis, C.W. Croom, and Samuel Davidson 1936 Soil Map for Madison County, North Carolina. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Government Printing Office, Washington D.C. On file at North Carolina Collections, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. HPOWEB 2022 North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office GIS Web Service. https://nc.maps.arcais.com/apps/webgppviewer/index.httnl?id=79ea671 ebdcc45639f0860257d5 f 5ed7. Accessed January 14, 2022. Mohler, Paul J., Gerold F. Glover, Brian Overton, and Megan O'Connell 2001 Archaeological Survey Report Testing of Sites 31NDD351, 31A4D355, 31MD359, and 31A4D360 along the US 19 Study Corridor, Madison County, North Carolina, TIP No. R-2518. North Carolina Department of Transportation, Raleigh. Tippett, Lee, Nora Sheehan, Megan O'Connell, and Brian Overton 1999 Archaeological Survey of the US 19 Study Corridor, Madison and Yancy Counties, North Carolina, TIP No. R-2518. North Carolina Department of Transportation, Raleigh. United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Services (USDA NRCS) 2022 Madison County Soil Survey. Available online at ha://webosilsurvey.nres.usda.aov/app/. Accessed January 14, 2022. United States Geological Survey (USGS) 1902 Mount Mitchell, North Carolina -Tennessee 30 minute quadrangle map. Reprinted in 1932. 2000 Bamardsville, North Carolina 7.5 minute quadrangle map. 2020 PROGRAMMATIC AGREEMENT ARCHAEOLOGY TEAM "NO NATIONAL REGISTER ELIGIBLE OR LISTED ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES PRESENT" FORM 5of13 Project Tracking No. 21-12-0008 l One Mile Radius (Shaded} Around Project Area 7. - �rl ! 55 4 , f ti s = y;' ¢ k r Bridge 36 APE (Red).. =r_ s.•, f til _ !llfff� di ' tir � + 1 tiY tr % OEAO f •` � • f + ' L� T � - 0 1 N Jar F- 0 Miles 1,500 Madison County Meters .g Figure 1. Topographic Setting of the Project Area, Barnardsville (2000) NC USGS 7.5' Topographic Quadrangle. 2020 PROGRAMMATIC AGREEMENT ARCHAEOLOGY TEAM "NO NATIONAL REGISTER ELIGIBLE OR LISTED ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES PRESENT" FORM 6of13 Project Tracking No. 21-12-0008 Figure 2. Aerial view of the project area showing development, soils, landforms, the R-2518 project area, and Site 31MD481. 2020 PROGRAMMATIC AGREEMENT ARCHAEOLOGY TEAM "NO NATIONAL REGISTER ELIGIBLE OR LISTED ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES PRESENT" FORM 7of13 Project Tracking No. 71-17-nnnR �� ` `� /` r' ` V � • � Lim I / � Project Area J Ir _ Figure 3. The 1902 USGS Mount Mitchell Topographic map showing the location of the project area. k Hcr Hm tic ; mh h t c • mh � HC! r• SG He •�. -'• � . SG C Cr .1� , 1 6 Project Area J � mx H h r3 m M { . Her MCI N `' • • litr ' Hn) 1 t ll Hm SG Ncl S t: Figure 4. The 1936 Soil Map for Madison County showing the location of the project area. 2020 PROGRAMMATIC AGREEMENT ARCHAEOLOGY TEAM "NO NATIONAL REGISTER ELIGIBLE OR LISTED ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES PRESENT" FORM 8of13 Project Tracking No. 21-12-0008 VIM ;.w., .. j� a y paNllp * * �'� •�-.-iNr�'�sr '��i,.,c;.a� d!'�` �.. "di .�. „ �`?y`ya� .. ,�,�a: - •fir . ,F y�"@ a - `�;� �� + � �. ' Figure 5. General view of the floodplain in the southeast quadrant, looking northwest. Figure 6. General view of the floodplain in the southwest quadrant, looking southeast. 2020 PROGRAMMATIC AGREEMENT ARCHAEOLOGY TEAM "NO NATIONAL REGISTER ELIGIBLE OR LISTED ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES PRESENT" FORM 9of13 71 Ter" ZIA Gky IF Project Tracking No. 21-12-0008 Figure 9. General view of stream terrace in the southwest quadrant, looking south. Figure 10. General view of modified unnamed tributary in the southwest quadrant, looking southeast. 2020 PROGRAMMATIC AGREEMENT ARCHAEOLOGY TEAM "NO NATIONAL REGISTER ELIGIBLE OR LISTED ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES PRESENT" FORM 11 of 13 Project Tracking No. 21-12-0008 Figure 11. Site Map of 31MD481. 2020 PROGRAMMATIC AGREEMENT ARCHAEOLOGY TEAM "NO NATIONAL REGISTER ELIGIBLE OR LISTED ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES PRESENT" FORM 12 of 13 Project Tracking No. 21-12-0008 Figure 12. View of site 31MD481 within the APE and extending into the pasture, looking west. 2020 PROGRAMMATIC AGREEMENT ARCHAEOLOGY TEAM "NO NATIONAL REGISTER ELIGIBLE OR LISTED ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES PRESENT" FORM 13 of 13