5.0 Results 5.1 Background Literature and Records Search There are nine NRHP-listed properties in Cheatham County, but none lie within the archaeological survey area or the one km buffer zone (NRHP 2020). While no previously identified archaeological sites are lo- cated within the current project area, the Chandler site (40CH74) is located within the one km buffer zone. The Chandler site spans the Late Archaic to Mississippian periods and contains four pre-con- tact stone box burial mounds (Figure 5.1) (Jones and DuVall 1996a, 1996b; Giliberti et al. 1998). Thirteen previously recorded architectural re- sources were identified within the APE: CH-98; CH- 102; CH-818-CH821; CH-824-CH-828; CH-848; and CH-849. These previously recorded resources were documented during two separate surveys and recommended not eligible for the NRHP. Informa- tion for these surveys is limited due to the lack of detail provided through the Tennessee Historic Property GIS database and the inability of the TN Historic Commission to access any possible addi- tional information due to the Covid-19 shutdown of government facilities. Historic Preservation Special- ist Peggy Nickell suggested they may be related to a TDOT I-840N project but could not confirm with any certainty at the time of writing this report. Of these thirteen previously recorded resources, only nine remain extant (Table 5.1). The field survey re- sulted in the identification of 20 properties. These twenty properties include previously recorded resources, and none are recommended eligible for listing on the NRHP (Table 5.1) and (Table 5.2). 5.2 Archaeology A total of 1273 shovel tests were planned for Brocking- ton’s investigation of the survey area. Of the 1273 shovel tests, 36 were found positive for cultural materials (see Table 1.1). In addition, two extant buildings dating to at least 1957 were observed on the property, as well as one wire nail scatter. One house dating to ca. 1880 was observed along Lockertsville Road (THC 2020). Four post-contact middens were observed along dry creek drainages, as well as three land-clearing rock piles. The locations of all tests are depicted in Figures 5.2 and 5.3.
Shovel tests in the wooded slope area were char- acterized by low visibility due to leaf litter. Slopes varied from 20-60 percent, with rocky outcrops of granite and greenstone (Figure 5.4). Vegetation in the wooded areas included oak, maple, sycamore, and brambles (Figure 5.5). Dry creek drainages of various depths were common through the woods and led to Sycamore Creek (Figure 5.6 and 5.7). The southern and eastern boundaries of the survey area had cliffs with a drop-off of roughly 100 m. Due to steep slopes, drop-offs, and ravines, few shovel tests were able to be conducted in this area. Where shovel tests could not be conducted and where safe access was present, crew members performed a pedestrian survey at 10-m intervals. Shovel Test 161 produced a profile representative of the stratigraphy witnessed in this portion of the survey area, consisting of a yellowish-brown (10YR 5/4) clayey loam (0 to 23 cmbs) underlain by a dark yellowish-brown (10YR 4/4) clay subsoil (Figure 5.8). The remainder of the survey area is within a cleared pasture, previously used for tobacco farm- ing (see Figure 2.4). This area is within the central portion of the project tract and lies on a plateau. The pasture is relatively flat, with a slope between five and twelve percent. Vegetation is limited to mowed grass. Shovel Test 292 produced a profile representative of the stratigraphy witnessed in this portion of the survey area, consisting of a light olive brown (2.5YR 5/4) clayey loam (0 to 7 cmbs) underlain by a dark grayish-brown (2.5YR 4/2) clay subsoil (Figure 5.9).
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