Field Excavations
Thirty 2 by 2 meter units were excavated at 38HR496. These units were excavated in six blocks (Blocks 1-6). Excavation of these blocks resulted in 100 square meters being exposed and nearly 43 cubic meters of soil being removed and screened. Block size and characteristics are summarized in Table 3. Each block is summarized individually below.
Block 1. Block 1 was comprised of 10 units placed adjacent to Test Unit 201, which had contained several cultural features. Units from this block were excavated in three 10 cm levels. Excavation of the units was terminated at the base of Level 3 due to the identification of numerous possible features at this depth. The entire block was leveled out at this depth and all subsequent excavations focused solely on features. Units 430 and 431 were the exception as they were excavated to a depth of 30 cmbs to expose features but the removed fill was not screened.
Units in this block yielded a wide range of diagnostic artifacts. Mississippian complicated stamped sherds were common in the upper levels. Woodland ceramics and projectile points were recovered from nearly all levels. Middle and Late Archaic tools were also recovered. Historic disturbance was expressed in the recovery of whiteware and nails in Levels 1 and 2. Artifact densities peaked between 10 and 20 cm in depth. Table 4 presents a summary of the artifacts recovered from this block by unit.
Block 1 Cultural Features. Three posts and one small pit feature were identified during test excavations at 38HR496 (Reid et al. 2004). As noted above, Block 1 was situated in such a way to further explore the possibility of additional features being present in proximity to those identified during testing. During data recovery excavations, 17 cultural features were identified in this block. These features are summarized in Table 5.
Block 2. Block 2 was comprised of eight units and was situated at the northern extreme of the site. Units in this block were excavated in three 10 cm levels. As feature identification was the key focus of this investigation, excavation of these units was terminated at the base of Level 3 when several soil stains were noted. The entire block was leveled out at a depth of 30 cm and subsequent excavations focused on the soil anomalies. The Block 2 units yielded ceramics characteristic of the Late Archaic through Mississippian time periods, as well as nine diagnostic projectile points spanning the same time periods. Artifact density was variable across the block, but generally peaked between 20 and 30 cm in depth. Table 6 presents a summary of the artifacts recovered from this block by unit.
Block 3. Block 3 consisted of three units. Units from this block were excavated in 10 cm arbitrary levels to a depth of 40 to 50 cm. As excavation progressed in these units, no features were noted so excavation continued to yellowish red clay subsoil. Soil consisted of very dark gray sand overlaying brown sand which was encountered between 10 and 20 cmbs. Light yellowish brown sand was encountered between 20 and 30 cmbs. This block yielded Mississippian and Woodland ceramics and projectile points, but also contained pearlware and glass in Levels 3 and 4. Table 7 presents a summary of artifacts recovered from Block 3.
Block 4. Block 4 consisted of four units. Units from this block were excavated in 10 cm arbitrary levels to a depth of 30 cmbs. Soil consisted of very dark grayish brown silty sand overlaying yellowish brown sand, which was encountered between 15 and 30 cmbs. Excavation was terminated at strong brown sandy clay. No cultural features were noted and overall artifact density was extremely low. Table 8 presents a summary of artifacts recovered from Block 4.
Block 5. Block 5 was comprised of four units. As with Block 3, no soil anomalies were noted during excavation so the block was taken down to orange clay subsoil. Units were terminated at depths ranging between 50 and 60 cm. The clay layer was not regular, but was present in the form of irregular swells. Artifacts recovered from this block ranged from Mississippian to Late Archaic ceramics and their stratigraphic sequence appeared to be intact. Table 9 presents a summary of artifacts recovered from Block 5.
Block 6. Block 6 was placed in the area from which the possible Paleoindian tool had been recovered during an early investigatory phase. Consisting of two units, this block was excavated to yellowish red clay. Overall artifact density was low and no cultural features were identified. Table 10 presents a summary of artifacts recovered from Block 6.
