Phase I Archaeological Survey Along
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Contract Publication Series 17-452 AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF THE PROPOSED REALIGNMENT OF U.S. 62 BETWEEN MILE POINTS 25.659 AND 30.239 IN GRAYSON COUNTY, KENTUCKY (ITEM NO. 4-9005.00) by J. Howard Beverly, Jr., RPA #12745 Prepared for Prepared by Kentucky West Virginia Ohio Indiana Louisiana Tennessee Virginia Contract Publication Series 17-452 AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF THE PROPOSED REALIGNMENT OF U.S. 62 BETWEEN MILE POINTS 25.659 AND 30.239 IN GRAYSON COUNTY, KENTUCKY (ITEM NO. 4-9005.00) by J. Howard Beverly, Jr., RPA #12745 With contributions by Heather D. Barras Prepared for David Waldner Division of Environmental Analysis Kentucky Transportation Cabinet 200 Mero Street Frankfort, Kentucky 40622 Phone: (502) 564-7250 Fax: (502) 564-5655 Prepared by Cultural Resource Analysts, Inc. 151 Walton Avenue Lexington, Kentucky 40508 Phone: (859) 252-4737 Fax: (859) 254-3747 Email: [email protected] CRA Project No.: K17K025 __________________________ ________________________ Charles M. Niquette, RPA #10710 J. Howard Beverly, Jr., RPA #12745 Co-Principal Investigator Co-Principal Investigator December 28, 2017 Lead Agency: Federal Highway Administration Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Item No. 4-9005.00 Statewide Contract No. PON2 1600003838, Letter Agreement 47-MSN OSA Project Registration No.: FY18_9409 ABSTRACT On November 29, 2017, Cultural Resource Analysts, Inc., personnel conducted an archaeological survey for the proposed realignment of a portion of U.S. 62 between mile points 25.659 and 30.239, in Grayson County, Kentucky (Item No. 4-9005.00). The survey was conducted at the request of David Waldner of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, Division of Environmental Analysis. The current project footprint encompasses an area measuring approximately 1.4 ha (3.5 acres). The field methods used in the survey consisted of an intensive pedestrian survey supplemented by screened shovel testing in low visibility areas. The project area was surveyed in its entirety. A records review, conducted at the Office of State Archaeology in November 2017, showed that two professional archaeological surveys had been conducted within a 2.0 km (1.2 mi) radius of the project area. Within this same area, three archaeological sites were recorded including a prehistoric rockshelter (Site 15Gy5), a cave with a prehistoric occupation (Site 15Gy64), and a prehistoric petroglyph (Site 15Gy65). All of the previous surveys and archaeological sites were situated outside of the project area. No archaeological sites were recorded as a result of this survey. Therefore, no archaeological sites listed in, or eligible for listing in, the National Register of Historic Places will be affected by the proposed construction activities, and archaeological clearance is recommended. i TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT ..................................................................................................................................................................... i LIST OF FIGURES........................................................................................................................................................ iii LIST OF TABLES .......................................................................................................................................................... iii I. INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................................................... 1 II. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT AREA ................................................................................................................ 5 III. RESULTS OF THE FILE AND RECORDS SEARCH AND SURVEY PREDICTIONS ............................................ 13 IV. FIELD METHODS ................................................................................................................................................... 17 V. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ........................................................................................................ 19 REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................................................ 19 LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1. Map of Kentucky showing the location of Grayson County. ............................................................................ 1 Figure 2. Location of project area on topographic quadrangle. ...................................................................................... 2 Figure 3. Project area plan map. .................................................................................................................................... 3 Figure 4. General view of project area showing typical developed open space areas, facing north. ........................... 11 Figure 5. General view of project area showing typical deciduous forests areas, facing south.................................... 12 Figure 6. General view of project area showing typical pasture/hay areas, facing south. ............................................ 12 Figure 7. Disturbed area along U.S. 62, facing south. ................................................................................................. 13 Figure 8. Intermittent drainage area adjacent to U.S. 62, facing north. ........................................................................ 14 Figure 9. Sloped area along U.S. 62, facing north. ...................................................................................................... 14 Figure 10. 1991 Big Clifty, Kentucky, 7.5-minute series topographic quadrangle map showing the location of MS1. 18 LIST OF TABLES Table 1. Soil Families, Series, and Phases Identified within the Project Area. .............................................................. 8 Table 2. Summary of Selected Information for Previously Recorded Archaeological Sites in Grayson County, Kentucky. Data Obtained from OSA and May Contain Coding Errors. ........................................................................ 16 iii I. INTRODUCTION Project Description The project consists of an archaeological n November 29, 2017, Cultural Resource survey for a federally funded project that O Analysts, Inc. (CRA), personnel conducted proposes to realign a portion of U.S. 62, extend an archaeological survey for the proposed numerous culverts, and excavate embankments realignment of a portion of U.S. 62 between mile for some of those culverts between mile points points 25.659 and 30.239 in Grayson County, 25.659 and 30.239 in Grayson County, Kentucky Kentucky (Item No. 4-9005.00) (Figure 1). The (Figures 2 and 3). This proposed project will field investigations were conducted by J. Howard require approximately 1.4 ha for the realignment. Beverly, Karen Clark, and Julia Gruhot. The The culvert and extension work will occur within fieldwork required approximately 12 person existing ROW. hours to complete. The survey was conducted at The purpose of the proposed project is to the request of David Waldner of the Kentucky reduce the total number and severity of crashes. Transportation Cabinet, Division of The project area was identified and selected as Environmental Analysis. part of the 2016 Roadway Departure Corridor. The project area was located approximately During the five-year period between August 1, 2.8 km (1.8 mi) southwest of the downtown area 2011, and July 31, 2016, there were 72 collisions of Big Clifty, Kentucky (Figure 2). The project resulting in 35 injuries and 2 fatalities. The area consisted of proposed new right-of-way overwhelming majority of accidents involved (ROW), located along the outside portion of the single vehicles. existing U.S. 62 ROW, measuring 1.4 ha (3.5 In October 2016, a Roadway Safety Audit acres) in total size. The project area was subjected (RSA) was conducted by Kentucky to an intensive pedestrian survey supplemented Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) District 4 staff to by systematic shovel testing in low visibility assess potential hazards that could be corrected areas and was surveyed in its entirety. None of the with low-cost improvements. The RSA revealed current project area had been previously a number of potential hazards along the corridor surveyed. including a lack of shoulder width, close Office of State Archaeology (OSA) proximity of culvert headwalls, steep grades, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data was trees or poles in the clear zone. Additionally, requested by CRA on October 25, 2017, and was between mile points 28.8 and 29.1 there is a returned on November 2, 2017. The results were reverse (or “S”) curve which geometric analysis researched by Heather Barras of CRA at the OSA revealed had a 2–3 percent superelevation, where on November 7, 2017. The OSA project the American Association of State Highway and registration number is FY18_9409. Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Guidelines recommend an 8 percent superelevation. The Prior to the field investigations, an 811 locate majority of the crashes (51 percent) were was submitted for the project area. Several clustered between these mileposts. underground utilities were marked within the project area, and were found to be concentrated along the edges of the existing ROW. Shovel testing was not conducted within close proximity of the marked utilities. Parcels were only surveyed after landowner permission was granted. Figure 1. Map of Kentucky showing the location of Grayson County. 1 Big Clifty, KY 1991 USGS 7.5 minute series digital topographic