Cultural Resources Survey of the US-76/US-378 Eastbound Bridge Replacement over Mill Creek/Caughman’s Pond

Summary

"On February 26, 2011, archaeologists consulted the ArchSite program to determine if previously identified archaeological sites are located in the project vicinity. No previously identified archaeological sites are located within 0.5 mile of the project. Also on February 26, 2011, the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) files of the South Carolina Department of Archives and History (SCDAH) were searched for previous investigations and previously identified resources using the ArchSite program. Two cultural resource surveys have been conducted in the area. These include the South Carolina Historic Bridge Survey (Lichtenstein Consulting Engineers (2004)) and the Lower Richland County Historic and Architectural Survey (The Jaeger Company 1993). Lichtenstein Consulting Engineers (2004) identified the US-76/US-378 eastbound and westbound bridges over Mill Creek/Caughman’s Pond as historic architectural resources and recommended both bridges not eligible for the NRHP. The Jaeger Company (1993) identified five historic architectural or landscape resources (Resources 171-3752, 171-3754, 171-3755, 171-3756, and 171-3561) within 0.5 mile of the project. ...

We conducted an intensive archaeological survey of the project March 2-4 2011. We observed good ground surface visibility in the fallow and plowed agricultural fields but poor conditions persisted throughout the rest of the project area. Investigators traversed a total of three shovel test transects (one north and two south of US-76/US-378). The transect north of US-76/US-378 was placed 50 feet outside the existing ROW; the two transects south of US-76/US-378 were placed 50 and 150 feet south of the existing ROW, respectively. Shovel tests were excavated at 100-foot intervals along each transect. Out of the 135 possible shovel tests, investigators excavated 76 shovel tests. Shovel tests were not excavated because they fell within Caughman’s Pond or other wetlands or because they were within developed commercial or residential land. Figure 5 presents the location of the project and shovel-tested areas on an aerial photograph. The shovel tests were excavated to an average depth of 2.0 feet below surface (ft bs) and ranged from 0.5 to 3.0 feet bs in depth, depending on the type of soil encountered. The fill from these tests was sifted through ¼-inch mesh hardware cloth. No shovel tests produced cultural materials. However, approximately 500 feet northwest of the US-76/US-378 westbound bridge we identified Site 38RD1371, the Mill Creek Methodist Church Cemetery (previously identified as Resource 171 3752)."

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Richland County

Keywords

Spatial Coverage

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contributor(s): Paige Wagoner; W.D. Roberts

Principal Investigator(s): David S. Baluha

Sponsor(s): The South Carolina Department of Transportation

Prepared By(s): Brockington and Associates, Inc.

Notes

General Note: "During the cultural resources survey, investigators from Brockington and Associates, Inc., identified one archaeological site (Resource 171-3752/Site 38RD1371) in the archaeological survey universe and three historic architectural resources (Resources 6333-6335) in the architectural survey universe. We recommend Resource 171-3752/Site 38RD1371 and Resources 6335-6335 not eligible for the NRHP. We recommend Resource 171-3752/Site 38RD1371 not eligible for the NRHP under Criterion D. Cemeteries are protected from disturbance and desecration under South Carolina state law (South Carolina Code of Laws 16-17-600). Although the cemetery is within the survey universe of the project, it is located within an area that will enable planners to design the project to avoid this resource. Previous investigations identified two NRHP-eligible properties, Resources 171-3754 and 171-3756, within 0.5 mile of the project. However, Resources 171-3754 and 171-3756 are outside the architectural survey universe and outside the viewshed of the project. Therefore, proposed construction activities will have no visual or audible impact on the NRHP-eligible Lykesland Post Office or the WIlliam Belton Caughman House. Proposed replacement of the US-76/US-378 eastbound bridge over Mill Creek/Caughman's Pond will have no effect on historic properties. No further management consideration is warranted for this project. However, if current proposed road plans change, additional survey may be necessary."

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