20180422 Ver 1_Densons Creek Addendum final_20180323

Addendum Report:
Phase I Archaeological Survey of the
Densons Creek Vented Ford in the Uwharrie
Ranger District
Montgomery County, North Carolina
New South AssociatesNew South Associates
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Addendum Report:
Phase I Archaeological Survey of the Densons Creek
Vented Ford in the Uwharrie Ranger District
Montgomery County, North Carolina
ER 16-2108
Report submitted to:
Piedmont Conservation Council, Inc. • 721 Foster Street, Room 228 •
Durham, North Carolina 27701
Report prepared by:
New South Associates • 6150 East Ponce de Leon Avenue • Stone Mountain, Georgia 30083
and
New South Associates • 1006 Yanceyville Street • Greensboro, North Carolina 27405
Shawn M. Patch, MA, RPA – Principal Investigator and Author
February 23, 2018 • Final Report
New South Associates Technical Report 2802
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iADDENDUM REPORT: PHASE I ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF THE
DENSONS CREEK FORD, UWHARRIE RANGER DISTRICT
ABSTRACT
New South Associates, Inc. (New South) conducted additional Phase I Archaeological Survey of
the Densons Creek Vented Ford in the Uwharrie Ranger District in Montgomery County, North
Carolina. The work was conducted under contract with the Piedmont Conservation Council,
Inc., as part of its assistance to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). The goals of this
project were to locate and identify archaeological resources in the area of potential effects (APE)
and assess their eligibility for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). The information
generated as a result of this project will be used to assist the FWS with planning and compliance
with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966. The proposed
project has been designated ER 16-2108 by the North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office
(SHPO).
The project area is along Road 6712 where it intersects Densons Creek, roughly 3.75 kilometers
(2.33 mi.) east of Troy. Road 6712 is a one-lane, gravel-paved trail used for logging access. It
crosses Densons Creek on a 20x4-meter (66x13-ft.) vented ford with a cement deck and culverts.
The undertaking is associated with the planned restoration of the Densons Creek environment,
under which the existing ford structure would be replaced and a segment of the road west of the
creek would be realigned. Minor project design changes were necessary to correct the roadway
approaches and necessitated the additional survey. The APE for the project covers the ford and
segments of the road on both sides of the creek, as well as areas downstream from the ford. The
original APE measured approximately 2,997 square meters (0.74 ac.) in size. The revised APE
measures roughly 5,403 square meters (1.34 ac.) in size, of which approximately 2,143 square
meters (0.53 ac.) was previously surveyed.
The additional field survey was conducted on January 25, 2018. New South staff included Shawn
Patch (Principal Investigator), Javi Vasquez (Archaeologist), and John Hogg (Archaeological
Technician). Fieldwork included the excavation of 14 shovel tests at intervals of 20 meters or less
and surface inspection of areas with good visibility.
There were no previously recorded sites in the revised APE. The additional survey did not locate
or identify any archaeological resources in the APE. Therefore, no additional archaeological
work is recommended for the project as currently designed.
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iiiADDENDUM REPORT: PHASE I ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF THE
DENSONS CREEK FORD, UWHARRIE RANGER DISTRICT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABSTRACT ...................................................................................................................................i
I. INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................1
II. METHODS ..............................................................................................................................5
FIELDWORK ............................................................................................................................5
III. RESULTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS .............................................................................7
EXISTING CONDITIONS .......................................................................................................7
RECOMMENDATIONS .........................................................................................................11
REFERENCES CITED ...............................................................................................................13
LIST OF FIGURES AND TABLES
Figure 1. Project Location Map ..................................................................................................2
Figure 2. Detail of the Area of Potential Effects .........................................................................3
Figure 3. Map Showing Shovel Test Locations in the APE .........................................................8
Figure 4. Location of Shovel Test 4 (Non-Excavated) ................................................................9
Figure 5. Location of Shovel Test 14 ...........................................................................................9
Figure 6. Shovel Test 9 Soil Profile ...........................................................................................10
Figure 7. Shovel Test 5 Soil Profile ...........................................................................................10
Table 1. Shovel Test Results ........................................................................................................7
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1ADDENDUM REPORT: PHASE I ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF THE
DENSONS CREEK FORD, UWHARRIE RANGER DISTRICT
I. INTRODUCTION
New South Associates, Inc. (New South) conducted additional Phase I Archaeological Survey of
the Densons Creek Vented Ford in the Uwharrie Ranger District in Montgomery County, North
Carolina (Figure 1). The work was conducted under contract with the Piedmont Conservation
Council, Inc., as part of its assistance to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). The goals of
this project were to locate and identify archaeological resources in the area of potential effects
(APE) and assess their eligibility for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). The
information generated as a result of this project will be used to assist the FWS with planning
and compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966.
The proposed project has been designated ER 16-2108 by the North Carolina State Historic
Preservation Office (SHPO).
The project area is along Road 6712 where it intersects Densons Creek, roughly 3.75 kilometers
(2.33 mi.) east of Troy. Road 6712 is a one-lane, gravel-paved trail used for logging access. It
crosses Densons Creek on a 20x4-meter (66x13-ft.) vented ford with a cement deck and culverts.
The proposed undertaking is associated with the planned restoration of the Densons Creek
environment, which would replace the existing ford structure and realign a segment of the road
west of the creek. Minor design changes were necessary to correct the roadway approaches
and necessitated the additional survey. The APE for the project covers the ford and segments
of the road on both sides of the creek, as well as areas downstream from the ford. The original
APE measured approximately 2,997 square meters (0.74 ac.) in size. The revised APE for this
addendum measures roughly 5,403 square meters (1.34 ac.) in size, of which approximately 2,143
square meters (0.53 ac.) was previously surveyed.
The North Carolina SHPO requested that the vented ford structure, which was built between 1956
and 1961, be recorded and evaluated as a historic architectural property. That study is addressed
in a separate report (Turco 2017). Previous archaeological survey for the original design was
conducted by New South and included the excavation of eight shovel tests, all of which were
negative (Bean and Turco 2017). No archaeological resources were located or identified.
The addendum field survey was conducted on January 25, 2018. New South staff included Shawn
Patch (Principal Investigator), Javi Vasquez (Archaeologist), and John Hogg (Archaeological
Technician). Fieldwork included the excavation of 14 shovel tests at intervals of 15 meters (45
ft.) or less and surface inspection of areas with good visibility.
2
The addendum survey did not locate or identify any archaeological resources in the APE.
Therefore, no additional archaeological work is recommended for the project as currently
designed.
This report contains three chapters, including the Introduction. Chapter II discusses the methods,
and Chapter III presents the results.
Figure 1. Project Location Map
Project Location
0 0.25 0.5 Kilometers
0 0.40.2 Miles
Montgomery Co.,North Carolina
Source: USGS Topographic Quadrangle Map, Biscoe, NC (1984)
APE
3ADDENDUM REPORT: PHASE I ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF THE
DENSONS CREEK FORD, UWHARRIE RANGER DISTRICT
Figure 2. Detail of the Area of Potential Effects
Service Layer Credits: © 20 18 Microsoft
Corporation © 2018 DigitalGlobe ©CNES
0 20 40 Meters
0 14070 Feet
Montgomery Co.,North Carolina
Source: Bing Maps Hybrid (2018)UUnnkknnoowwnn//UUnnppaavveeddRRooaadd2018 Survey Area
2017 Survey Area
Tributary
APE:
4
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5ADDENDUM REPORT: PHASE I ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF THE
DENSONS CREEK FORD, UWHARRIE RANGER DISTRICT
II. METHODS
FIELDWORK
Archaeological investigations involved systematic shovel testing in the APE. Field methods
were accordance with National Forests in North Carolina specifications for archaeological
surveys in the Uwharrie National Forest. Shovel tests were placed at approximately 15-meter
(45-ft.) intervals or less depending on the nature of the landforms (i.e., relatively steep slopes),
prior disturbance from an existing logging road, and the need to provide sufficient coverage of
the APE. Particular attention was given to the presence of any micro-landforms. Shovel tests
measured 30 centimeters in diameter and were excavated by hand to a minimum of 10 centimeters
into culturally sterile subsoil, unless natural obstructions were encountered. Excavated soil was
screened through 0.25-inch mesh hardware cloth for systematic artifact recovery.
Shovel tests were recorded using New South’s digital data system. A custom database developed
from Memento was used to record each shovel test on smartphones and, if necessary, take
photographs. Attributes such as soil descriptions, the presence/absence of artifacts, and notes
on the surrounding area, where relevant, were also recorded for each shovel test. All shovel tests
were filled upon completion.
For horizontal control, a Trimble GeoXT handheld GPS system with sub-meter accuracy was used
to generate X and Y locations in UTM Zone 17N (NAD83) for all shovel tests. Additional mapped
points included the road and ford. Photographs were taken to document conditions in the APE.
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7ADDENDUM REPORT: PHASE I ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF THE
DENSONS CREEK FORD, UWHARRIE RANGER DISTRICT
III. RESULTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
EXISTING CONDITIONS
As with the original APE, there are no previously recorded sites in or near the revised APE.
Conditions in the APE were identical to those from the previous survey. Densons Creek is the
prominent hydrologic feature and bisects the APE in a north-south orientation. Topography is
steep on the west side of Densons Creek and much flatter on the east side. Vegetation consists of
a mix of mature hardwoods and pines with underbrush of various shrubs. The existing logging
road has a gravel surface on hard-packed clay.
The Phase I survey resulted in the investigation of 14 shovel test locations (Table 1, Figure 3).
Most of these locations were adjacent to the existing logging road, and many were in or near
Densons Creek. Configuration of the APE determined the landforms that were available for
testing. Shovel Tests 3 and 4 were not excavated because of existing conditions such as bedrock
at the surface and the creek (Figure 4). All 12 of the excavated shovel tests were negative.
Table 1. Shovel Test Results
Shovel Test Result Stratum Depth (cmbs)Texture Munsell Color Comments
1 Negative
I 0-26 Sandy Loam 10YR3/3
II 26-63 Clay Loam 10YR3/6 Hit bedrock at 63
cmbs
2 Negative
I 0-15 Silt Loam 10YR3/3
II 15-32 Silt Loam 10YR4/6
III 32-65 Clay 10YR5/8 Hit bedrock at 65
cmbs
3 Not Excavated NA Bedrock at
surface
4 Not Excavated NA Middle of creek
5 Negative
I 0-20 Silt Loam 10YR3/4
II 20-45 Clay Loam 10YR4/6 Stratum III is
bedrock
6 Negative I 0-3 Clay Loam 10YR4/6 Stratum II is
bedrock
7 Negative
I 0-15 Silt Loam 10YR3/4
II 15-75 Clay 5YR4/4 Hit bedrock at 75
cmbs
8 Negative
I 0-15 Silt Loam 10YR3/3
II 15-45 Clay Loam 10YR4/6
III 45-55 Clay 10YR5/6
8
Table 1. Shovel Test Results
Shovel Test Result Stratum Depth (cmbs)Texture Munsell Color Comments
9 Negative
I 0-20 Silt Loam 10YR3/4
II 20-70 Silt Loam 10YR6/6
III 70-80 Clay Loam 7.5YR5/8
10 Negative I 0-40 Clay Loam 7.5YR5/6
II 40-50 Clay Loam 2.5YR4/6
11 Negative I 0-40 Clay Loam 7.5YR5/6
12 Negative I 0-10 Clay 2.5YR4/6
13 Negative I 0-20 Sandy Loam 10YR3/4
II 20-60 Gravel 10YR4/6
14 Negative I 0-10 Sandy Loam 10YR4/4 Bedrock near
surface
Figure 3. Map Showing Shovel Test Locations in the APE
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
0
9
10
11
12
13
14
2
3
4
1
5
6
7 8
0 10 20 Meters
0 10050 Feet
Sources: ESRI World Terrain (2018) & NCOne Map (2018)
2018 Survey Area
2017 Survey Area
TributaryDensons
CreekUnexcavated
2017 Negative
Shovel Test
2018 Negative
Shovel Test
9ADDENDUM REPORT: PHASE I ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF THE
DENSONS CREEK FORD, UWHARRIE RANGER DISTRICT
Variation in shovel test profiles was a direct reflection of their locations and settings (Figures
5-7). Bedrock was encountered at various depths ranging from the surface to approximately 75
centimeters below surface (cmbs). For example, Shovel Test 14 was located on the west side of
Densons Creek adjacent to the logging road in a steeper portion of the APE (Figure 5). Bedrock
was exposed near the surface in this location, and the resulting profile showed approximately 10
centimeters of dark yellowish brown (10YR4/4) sandy loam.
Figure 4. Location of Shovel Test 4 (Non-Excavated)
Figure 5. Location of Shovel Test 14
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Shovel tests located along Densons Creek generally had deeper profiles with sand or loamy
sand matrices. For example, three strata were identified in Shovel Test 9 (Figure 6). Stratum
I was 0-20 cmbs of dark yellowish brown (10YR3/4) silt loam, Stratum II was 20-70 cmbs
of brownish yellow (10YR6/6) silt loam, and Stratum III was 70-80 cmbs of strong brown
(7.5YR5/8) clay loam. Typical of active stream environments, these coarser deposits represent
loose, unconsolidated alluvial deposits.
Figure 6.
Shovel Test 9 Soil Profile
Shovel Test 5 was located on the west side of Densons Creek and consisted of two strata (Figure
7). Stratum I was 0-20 cmbs of dark yellowish brown (10YR3/4) silt loam, and Stratum II was
20-45 cmbs of dark yellowish brown (10YR4/6) clay loam. The shallower stratigraphy in this
test was due to its location on a steeper, non-alluvial setting.
Figure 7.
Shovel Test 5 Soil Profile
11ADDENDUM REPORT: PHASE I ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF THE
DENSONS CREEK FORD, UWHARRIE RANGER DISTRICT
RECOMMENDATIONS
New South conducted additional Phase I Archaeological Survey for the expanded APE of
the proposed Densons Creek Vented Ford replacement in the Uwharrie Ranger District in
Montgomery County, North Carolina. The proposed undertaking would replace the ford
structure and realign the roadway approaches. Minor design changes were necessary to correct
the roadway approaches and necessitated the additional survey. Previous archaeological work
documented heavily eroded conditions and no archaeological resources. No previously recorded
sites were present in or near the original APE.
Likewise, no previously recorded sites were present in the revised APE. Based on existing
environmental conditions and results of shovel testing for the additional survey, most of the
revised APE is substantially eroded or composed of historic flood deposits and has a low
probability for intact archaeological sites.
The additional survey did not locate or identify any archaeological resources in the APE.
Therefore, no additional archaeological work is recommended for the project as currently
designed.
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13ADDENDUM REPORT: PHASE I ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF THE
DENSONS CREEK FORD, UWHARRIE RANGER DISTRICT
REFERENCES CITED
Bean, Colin and Ellen Turco
2017 Phase I Archaeological Survey of the Densons Creek Vented Ford in the Uwharrie
Ranger District, Montgomery County, North Carolina. New South Associates,
Inc., Stone Mountain, Georgia.
Turco, Ellen
2017 Letter Report: NRHP (Architecture) Evaluation of Vented Ford over Denson’s
Creek, Glenn Road, Troy, Montgomery County, North Carolina [Draft]. CRM.
New South Associates, Inc., Stone Mountain, Georgia.

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