20190918 Ver 1_Macon County - B223 - Archaeologocal Screening_20190710

Project D-ackingNo.:
1442-0015
NO NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
?" ELIGIBLE OR LISTED ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES 1iO4Tk"
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PRESENT OR AFFECTED FORM Iq^
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This form only pertains to ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES for this project, It is not c
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valid for Historic Architecture and Landscapes. You must consult separately with the
Historic Architecture and Landscapes Group.
PROJECT
INFORMATION
Project No:
Bridge 223
County:
Macon
WBSNo:
17BP.14.11.112
Document:
MCS
F.A. No:
n/a
Funding:
® State ❑ Federal
Federal Permit Required?
® Yes ❑ No Permit
Type: NWP3/TVA
Project Description: This project is an intensive archaeological survey arrd evaluation for replacement
of Bridge No. 223 on SRI 134 (Stamey Mountain Rd) over the South Fork Skeenah Creek (Project No.
Bridge 223; WBS No, 1713P.14.R.112; PA No. 14-02-0015) in Macon County. As defined by the
NCDOT, the survey corridor (Area of Potential Effects [APE]) for archaeology is defined as a
626-Foot (190.85 m) long corridor running 300 feet (91.44 m) southeast and 300 feet (91.44 m) northwest
along SRI 134 from each end of Bridge No. 223. The corridor is approximately 150 feet (45,72 m) wide
extending 75 feet (22.86 in) on each side of SRI 134 from its present center.
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 ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES within the project's
area of potential effects.
❑ No subsurface archaeological investigations are 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 12142(a) has been completed for this project.
❑ There are no National Register Eligible or Listed ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES present
or affected by this project. (Attach any notes or documents as needed)
"NO NATIONAL. RRG/S77i2 RLIG/R1.2021.ISTRD ARCNAROI.OGICAL SITRS PRRSRNT OR A/%PL'CilrD
form far MJnw•7Ymreporinllon ProJalr m Qunlned fu Ikn 1007 ProgmnMwlic Ay'Nmneul.
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Project Tracking No.:
Brtej description of review activities, results of revietg and conclusions:
An archaeological survey and evaluation for replacement of Bridge No. 223 on SRl 134 (Stamey
Mountain Road) over the South Fork Skeenah Creek in Macon County was conducted on April 10 and
16, 2014, by Tasha Benyshek, Michael Nelson and John Kesler of TRC Environmental Corporation
(TRC). No archaeological sites were located within the project APE, and no further archaeological
investigations are needed for this project.
SUPPORT DOCUMENTATION
See attached: ® Map(s) ❑ Previous Survey Info
Other: Cultural Review
Signed:
NCDOT ARCHAEOLOGIST
® Photos ❑Correspondence
Date
"NO N I%TONAL RTiGfS'TGR UUGIALCOR LlS7'GU ARCHAROLOGICAL SI'fESYRG'SIiNT OR AFGfiCTRD
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Project Pvck/ngAto.:
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SUMMARY OF CULTURAL RESOURCES REVIEW
l3riefdescription of evieux aciiviiles, resuks of review, and conckisions:
TRC has conducted an intensive to survey and evaluation for the replacement of Bridge No, 223 on
SRI 134 (Stamey Mountain Rd) over the South Fork Skeenali Creek in Macon County, North Carolina (Figures I
and 2). As defined by the NCDOT, the survey corridor (Area of Potential Effects [APE]) for archaeology is defined
as a 626400t (190.85 in) long corridor running 300 feet (91.44 m) southeast and 300 feet (91.44 m) northwest along
SRI 134 from each end of Bridge No. 223. The corridor is approximately 150 feet (45,72 m) wide extending 75 feet
(22.86 m) on each side of SRI 134 from its present center
Baclrgronnd
A map review and site files search was conducted by Tasha Benyshek of TRC at the Office of State Archaeology
Western Branch (OSA) on April 16, 2014, which supplemented a previous NCDOT review. These reviews
identified no archaeological sites within or adjacent to the APE, Three sites (31MA105, 3IMA627 and 31MA660)
are located within a mile radius of the project area. Two of the sites, 31MA105 and 31MA660, are unassessed
concerning National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) eligibility, while site 31 MA627 has been recommended
eligible for the NRHP (Carruth and Joy 2004; Govaerts and Hansen 2009).
Site 31MAI05, located just east of the confluence of the North and South Forks of Skeenah Creek, was recorded in
1965 and consists of two projectile points found in a plowed field. Site 31 MA660 is located between Skeenah Creek
and Flume Creek near Addington Bridge Road (SRI 122) and was recorded by a local collector. Artifacts collected
from plowed fields include three projectile points (Kirk, Savannah River, and Connestee), one steatite vessel
fragment, and 26 prehistoric ceramic sherds.
Site 31MA627 was originally recorded in 2003 during an archaeological survey of a proposed Macon County
Recreational Park (Carruth and Joy 2004) and was recommended potentially eligible for the NRHP and that further
work be required if the site could not be avoided. The site was described as a multi -component
prehistoric/protohistoric habitation site (Woodland to Late Mississippian/Qualla) with a historic mill race
(associated with the late 19s' to early 20°i century Addington Mill) located on a toe slope and floodplain of Skeenah
Creek just west of South Macon Elementary School. Artifacts recovered from the plowzone and an intact buried
horizon include 17 prehistoric ceramic sherds (including Qualls examples), two unidentified projectile point
fragments, and 30 pieces of debitage (Carruth and Joy 2004). In 2008, the site was partially destroyed by the
construction of new access road for the South Macon Elementary School and archaeologists from Warren Wilson
College conducted an evaluation of the site and assessed the damage from road construction (Govaerts and Hansen
2009). This work consisted of the mechanical removal of the plowzone from an area adjacent to the newly
constructed road, the identification of cultural features, and a pedestrian survey and surface collection of the
impacted areas. Although this work did not include the excavation of any features, 17 possible cultural features and
56 possible postlroles were identified. Additionally, 405 artifacts were collected including Qualla phase appliqued
rims and curvilinear complicated stamped sherds as well as diagnostic projectile points dating from the Middle
Archaic to the Mississippian periods. These results confirmed the earlier findings that the site consists of a multi -
component habitation site dating from the Archaic to Historic Cherokee periods and that intact cultural deposits
were present (Govaerts and Hansen 2009).
Topographic maps, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) soil survey maps, and historic maps were
examined for information on natural or cultural variables that might have affected site locations. The earliest USGS
topographic map available of the area is the 1897 Cowee (L' 125,000) map which shows the location of Skeenah
Creek (neither the South or North Fork labeled) and a road which is most likely South Skeenah Road (SRI 128);
however, no road is present in the approximate location of the current project area and no structures are depicted
along that portion of the creek (USGS 1897). The next version of the Cowee topographic map (USGS 1907) shows
Stoney Mountain Road (SRI 134) and the South Fork Skeenah Creek close to their current configurations but no
structures are shown in the vicinity of the project corridor. Later versions of the Cowee topographic map do not
depict any structures in the approximate project area (USGS 19212 1947)
The 1935 Prentiss quadrangle map depicts the project area in much greater detail and shows Stamey Mountain Road
crossing the South Fork Skeenah Creek as well as two small unnamed tributaries flowing through the southwestern
•'NO NANONALREGISTER E IGIELR OR L1VR0ARCHAEOLOGIC4L S'OMPRESENTORArrrCTRD
/orrn forts tar 7Mnsporration Pr )ecte av Qnalyledhi Rre 7007 Progmrrmrmte Agreement.
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and northwestern quadrants of the current project area. In addition, this map depicts a structure northwest of the
project area (USGS 1935). The 1946 Prentiss quadrangle map shows the current road and creek configurations, the
structure northwest of the project area shown on the 1935 version, and Black Mountain Church in the northeastern
corner at the intersection of Stamey Mountain and South Skeenah Roads (USGS 1946). Black Mountain Church is
within the APE (Figure 3). The 1978 Prentiss quadrangle map shows the same structures, road, and creek
configurations as earlier versions as well as three structures in and adj acent to the southwestern corner of the project
area (USGS 1978). The structure nearest Stamey Mountain Road is within the southwestern portion of the APE, and
does consist of a modern structure (Figure 4).
Other maps of the area examined include a circa ] 910-1919 US Postal map of rural deliveryroutes which depicts
what appears to be Stamey Mountain Road and a structure northwest of the project area as shown on Prentiss
quadrangle maps;. no creek is depicted (US Post Office Department 1910-1919). The 1933 Macon County Soil Map
depicts the current Stamey Mountain Road configuration, an unnamed drainage along the west side of the road, and
a single structure west of the road and the drainage (USDA 1933). This structure likely corresponds with the
structure depicted northwest of the project area on the 1935 and later Prentiss quadrangle maps. The first Macon
County road map that shows any detail of the project area is the 1938 version which depicts Stamey Mountain Road
crossing the South Fork Skeenah Creek, as well as two structures northwest of We project area and a structure west
of the project area (North Carolina Slate Highway and Public Works Commission (NCSHPWCj 1918). The 1953
Macon County Road Map shows less detai I than the 1938 version but does depict the correct road and creek
configuration and a church (likely Black Mountain Church misplaced) in the northwest corner at the intersection of
Stamey Mountain and South Skeenah Roads (NCSHPWC 1953). The 1967 and later versions of the Macon County
Road Map depict the church in the correct, current location (the southeastern corner of the current project area,
northeast of Stoney Mountain Road and South Skeenah Road intersection) as well as the current road and creek
configuration but no other detail of the project area (North Carolina State Highway Commission (NCSHq 1967;
1968; 1972).
On-line soils data indicate that the majority of the APE is comprised primarily of Reddies fine sandy loam (ReA), 0
slopes. Reddies loran is described as being found on floodplains, frequently flooded, and moderately well.
drained loamy alluvium. Saunook gravelly loam (SbD), 15-20% slopes is mapped in the northern end of the APE,
while Saunook loam (ScC), 8.15 % slopes is found at lire southern end near the former church and the intersection of
Stamey Mountain and South Skeenah Roads. Both the Saunook loans are described as well drained soils found
along coves, fans, and drainages on mountain slopes with colluvium derived from igneous and metamorphic rocks
(MRCS 2014),
Fieldwork
The archaeological field survey included a systematic walkover of the APE to search fm• above -ground evidence of
an archaeological site as well as tlhe excavation of IG shovel tests in areas lacking standing water, wetland soils,
steep slope, or signs of severe disturbance. The shovel tests measured 30 cm in diameter and were excavated to at
least 75 cm below surface (embs), unless cobbles or hydric soils were encountered at shallower depths (as was the
case inmost STs); all soils from shovel tests that were not obvious fill were dry -screened through %4-inch mesh.
No archaeological resources were found within the project area. Most portions of the APE appear to contain fill or
redeposited soils associated with rerouting small drainages, filling in former low-lying hydric areas, o• building up
the existing road shoulder. Shovel tests were excavated in each quadrant of the project area (see Figure 2).
Five shovel tests (ST 1-5) were excavated in the southwestern quadrant which consists of an open field and a
residential yard around the modern house (see Pigw•e 3). Early maps show a drainage running through this quadrant
which has been rerouted through a culvert under Stamey Mountain Road and parallels that road in the southeastern
quadrant, at least two shovel tests (ST 4 and 5) encountered sandy, gravelly fill associated with the former drainage
location. The southeastern quadrant contains the abandoned church, which is built atop heavy fill (ST 6 and 7).
Three shovel tests (ST 8-10) were excavated in a low-lying area behind the church and these tests encountered
hydric soils (Figure 5), The northeastern quadrant of the APE is comprised primarily of an open livestock field
(Figure 6). The landowner reports placing fill in this area with soil cut from farther upslope, as well as fill dirt fi•om
If site; two shovel tests in the field (ST 11 and 12) confirmed the presence of fill atop hydric gray clay. The
northeastern most pail of the APE contains steep slope. The northwestern quadrant contains a small area that
contains fill associated with the road shoulder (ST 13), as well as fill overlying hydric soils (ST 14-16) in an open
"NO NATIONAL REGISTER ELIGIBLE OR LISTRDARCNAEOLOGICAL SITESPRESEN7' OR APPECrxD
form! r Minor Tmn8P0P1a11en Pro/ec1s as Qnol✓ned hi lhe7aa7PrngrmrorleRc Agreement.
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field (Figure 7).
Based on the results of the background research and field survey, there is no evidence that NRHP-eligible
archaeological resources are situated within the Bridge No. 223 APE. The area is relatively low lying, drainages
have been altered and rerouted in the area, and fill has been placed in many parts of the APE. Consequently, no
additional archaeological investigations are recommended for this project as currently defined.
Michael Nelson
A7•cltaeologist,Asneville
TRC Environmental Corporation
REFERENCES CITED
Carruth, Amy and Deborah Joy
2004 Archaeological Survey and Evaluation for the Proposed Recreational Pa lk south ofFi•anklin, Macon
County, North Carolina. Legacy Research Associates, Inc., Durham, NC. Report submitted to Fish &
Wildlife Associates, Inc. Whittier, NC.
Govaets, Lotte and Lorie Hansen
2009 Archaeological Investigations of Site 31MA627, South Macon Elementary School. Warren Wilson
College, Asheville, North Carolina. Report submitted to Fish & Wildlife Associates, Inc. Whittier, NC.
National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
2014 Natural Resources Conservation Service, United States Department of Agriculture Web Soil Survey.
Available online at hitpp.//websoilsurvey.nres.usda.gov/ accessed April 14, 2014.
North Carolina State Highway Commission
1967 North Carolina County'Road Survey of Macon County. On file, North Carolina State Archives,
Raleigh. Available online at Ili tllVldc.lib une edu/cdm/reftcollection/ncmane/id/1545.
1968 North Carolina County Road Survey of Macon County. On file, North Carolina State Archives,
Raleigh. Available online at http://dc.lib.unc.edu/cdm/­ref/Collection/nomaps/id/4171,
1972 North Carolina County Road Survey of Macon County. On file, North Carolina State Archives,
Raleigh. Available online at hitp://dc.lib.unc.edu/cdm/­r-ef/collection/ncmaps/idnl 10,
North Carolina State Highway and Public Works Commission (NCSHPW C)
1938 North Carolina County Road Survey of Macon County. On file, North Carolina State Archives,
Raleigh. Available online at http://do.lib.unc.edu/cdm/ref/Collection/ncmai)stid/545.
1953 North Carolina County Road Survey of Macon County. On file, North Carolina State Archives,
Raleigh. Available online at btti)://dc.lib.unc.edu/cdm/ref/collection/ncmaps/id/7994.
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
1933 Soil Map, North Carolina, Macon County. On file, North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh.
Available online at http://dc.lib.unc.edulcdm/ref/collectioti/ncmaps/id/i 198.
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
1897 Cowee, N.C., 7.5-minute topographic map (1:125,000).
1907 Cowee, N.C., 7.5-minute topographic map (1:125,000).
1921 Cowee, N.C., 7.5-minute topographic map (1:125,000).
1947 Cowee, N.C., 7.5-minute topographic map (1:125,000).
1935 Prentiss, N.C., 7.5-minute topographic map (1:24,000).
1946 Prentiss, N.C., 7.5-minute topographic map (1:24,000).
1978 Prentiss, N.C., 7.5-minute topographic map (1:24,000).
U. S. Post Office Department
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1910-19 Rural Delivery Routes, Macon County, NC. North Carolina Slate Archives,
Raleigh, Available online at hEtR;//dc.lib.unc.edu/Cdm/ref/Collection/ncmaps/id/1733.
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Figure 1. Location of Bridge No. 223 over Skeenah Creels in Macon County, Notlh Carolina.

Figure 2. Map of Bridge No. 223 showing APE and shovel test locations.

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Figure 7. Northwestern quadrant of the Bridge No. 223 APE, view to north.
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