FINAL REPORT PHASE I CULTURAL RESOURCES ASSESSMENT SURVEY AND SUPPLEMENTAL TESTING OF THE OCALA RANCH PROPERTY, MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA NÊòÃÙ 2016 PHASE I CULTURAL RESOURCES ASSESSMENT SURVEY AND SUPPLEMENTAL TESTING OF THE OCALA RANCH PROPERTY, MARION COUNTY, FLORIDA PREPARED FOR FARNER BARLEY AND ASSOCIATES, INC. WILDWOOD, FLORIDA PREPARED BY LILLIAN AZEVEDO, PHD SEARCH PROJECT # 3617‐16017P ___________________________________ MICHAEL ARBUTHNOT, MS, RPA PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR SEARCH WWW.SEARCHINC.COM NOVEMBER 2016 SEARCH November 2016 Phase I CRAS and Supplemental Testing of the Ocala Ranch Property, Marion County, Florida Final Report EXECUTIVE SUMMARY A Phase I cultural resource assessment survey (CRAS) was conducted for the approximately 2,079‐acre Ocala Ranch Property, Marion County, Florida. The survey was conducted as due diligence in anticipation of requirements from the Florida Division of Historical Resources (FDHR). The parcel is located approximately one‐half mile northeast of the Withlacoochee River, south of State Road (SR) 200 between Stokes Ferry and Gum Slough. The investigation resulted in the identification of seven newly recorded cultural resources consisting of five prehistoric lithic scatters (8MR3929, 8MR3930, 8MR3931, 8MR3933, and 8MR3934), one historic homestead (8MR3932), and one segment of a historic road (8MR3937). In addition, one previously recorded resource group adjacent to the project area (Drake Ranch, 8MR3722) was updated. Site 8MR3929 consists of a 2.8‐acre low‐density lithic, prehistoric ceramic and historic glass scatter, defined by 29 positive shovel tests. Site 8MR3930 consists of a 17.8‐acre low‐density lithic and ceramic scatter in close proximity to a small freshwater pond. One large triangular projectile point (O’Leno) indicates a Middle or Late Woodland cultural affiliation while the remaining artifacts are not diagnostic. Site 8MR3931 is an 18.5‐acre lithic scatter defined by 82 positive shovel tests that yielded a total of 221 prehistoric artifacts. The only diagnostic artifacts consist of 22 Pasco plain and sand‐tempered plain ceramic sherds. Site MR3932 is defined by 19 positive tests (six shovel tests and 13 metal detector hits) that yielded a total of 56 artifacts. The site covers 0.96 acres and consists of the archaeological remains of a late nineteenth to early twentieth century homestead. No foundation remnants or other historic features were identified. Site 8MR3933 consists of a single positive shovel test that yielded three pieces of tertiary debitage. Site 8MR3934 is a 1.6‐acre lithic scatter defined by six positive shovel tests containing just seven lithic flakes. None of these newly identified prehistoric resources are recommended eligible for listing in the National Register of Historical Places (NRHP). A segment of historic road (8MR3937) associated with the Resource Group 8MR3722 (Drake Ranch) was recorded in the project area. While the road is associated with Drake Ranch, it no longer connects any of the 13 buildings which make up 8MR3722. No other historical remains associated with the Drake Ranch were identified, and 8MR3937 lacks sufficient integrity to merit consideration for listing in the NRHP. SEARCH recommends that the road be considered a non‐contributing element to the Drake Ranch Resource Group (8MR3722). In addition to these newly recorded resources, the Florida Master Site File (FMSF) lists five previously recorded archaeological sites (8MR2351, 8MR2352, 8MR2353, 8MR3788, and 8MR3873) inside the project area. All five sites were previously evaluated by the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) and determined not eligible for the NRHP; no testing occurred at these sites for this project. iii November 2016 SEARCH Final Report Phase I CRAS and Supplemental Testing of the Ocala Ranch Property, Marion County, Florida This page intentionally left blank. iv SEARCH November 2016 Phase I CRAS and Supplemental Testing of the Ocala Ranch Property, Marion County, Florida Final Report TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary ......................................................................................................................... iii Table of Contents ............................................................................................................................. v List of Figures ................................................................................................................................. vii List of Tables .................................................................................................................................... x Chapter 1: Introduction .................................................................................................................. 1 Chapter 2: Project Location and Environment ............................................................................... 4 Modern Environment ............................................................................................................... 7 Geology and Geomorphology ................................................................................................... 8 Paleoenvironment .................................................................................................................. 10 Chapter 3: Historic Context ........................................................................................................... 11 Pre‐Columbian Context ........................................................................................................... 11 Post‐Contact History ............................................................................................................... 17 Historic Map and Aerial Photography Review ........................................................................ 26 Chapter 4: Previous Investigations ............................................................................................... 38 Florida Master Site File Review ............................................................................................... 38 Chapter 5: Research Design .......................................................................................................... 44 Cultural Resources Potential ................................................................................................... 44 Site Evaluation Criteria ............................................................................................................ 44 Phase I Survey Methods .......................................................................................................... 46 Supplemental Testing ............................................................................................................. 48 Chapter 6: Survey Results ............................................................................................................. 51 Archaeology Results ................................................................................................................ 51 Area A Results ......................................................................................................................... 51 Area B Results ......................................................................................................................... 55 Area C Results ......................................................................................................................... 57 Area D Results ......................................................................................................................... 58 Area E Results ......................................................................................................................... 62 Area F Results .......................................................................................................................... 62 Area G Results ......................................................................................................................... 77 Area H Results ......................................................................................................................... 90 Area I Results .......................................................................................................................... 92 Low Probability Areas Results ................................................................................................. 92 Discussion of Prehistoric Findings ........................................................................................... 94 Architectural Assessment ....................................................................................................... 95 Chapter 7: Conclusions and Recommendations ........................................................................... 96 Newly Recorded Sites ............................................................................................................. 96 Updated Resource Group 8MR3722 ....................................................................................... 98 References Cited ........................................................................................................................... 99 v November 2016 SEARCH Final Report Phase I CRAS and Supplemental Testing of the Ocala Ranch Property, Marion County, Florida Appendix A: Unanticipated Discoveries Statement Appendix B: Data Inventory Appendix C: FDHR Survey Log Appendix D: FMSF Site Forms vi SEARCH November 2016 Phase I CRAS and Supplemental Testing of the Ocala Ranch Property, Marion County, Florida Final Report LIST