Survey Investigations
Survey of Plowed Fields. Field methods varied primarily depending on ground surface conditions. Cultivated fields with good surface visibility were surveyed in their entirety at 15 meter intervals. This yielded an abundance of historic artifacts, as well as a small number of prehistoric artifacts.
The definition of individual sites in the plowed fields was problematic. A number of artifact concentrations representing mostly domestic occupations from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries were plotted. However, our 15 meter transect coverage identified many collection areas with only one or two small pieces of brick. If these were plotted using standard procedures, we would end up with dozens of tiny sites and isolated finds consisting of nothing but two or three brick fragments. Consultations with OSA Archaeologists Lawrence Abbott, Dolores Hall, and Susan Myers were held to make final determinations on site boundaries in the field areas. At this meeting, it was determined that surface scatters comprised solely of brick fragments would not be documented as archaeological sites and that sites with less than 30 meters between them would be combined into a single site with multiple loci. The approach was deemed to be a conservative but effective way to addressed surface scatters in fields that had undergone continual and recent plowing. Supplemental shovel tests were excavated in areas of particular interest at the field sites.
Survey of Wooded Areas. Some of the wooded areas in the survey tract were cultivated fields as recently as 20-30 years ago. However, these have reverted back to woodlands or been converted to areas of planted pine trees. Other areas were probably rotated as fields over time, and some areas (especially areas designated as wetlands) were likely logged numerous times since the beginning of historic occupation, but may have never been farmed. Topographic setting, well-drained soils, marsh or wetland frontage, and proximity to roads (for historic sites) were taken into consideration to rank the wooded portions of the survey tract based on their potential for the presence of significant archaeological sites. Initially, we planned to survey wooded portions of the tract at 30 meter intervals. However, areas with an increased likelihood of containing archaeological sites were surveyed at 20 meter intervals. These high probability areas included topographic settings with good relief. Lower probability areas were surveyed at 30 to 50 meter intervals based on their poorly drained soils, lack of topographic relief, and/or the Principal Investigator’s discretion.
Shovel tests were excavated to a depth of 60 to 100 cm, depending on soils and artifact distributions. Each shovel test was approximately 30 cm in diameter. Shovel test fill was screened through 1/4 inch wire mesh. Details of artifacts, soils, and possible features were recorded in field notebooks. Artifacts were collected and placed in plastic bags labeled with the date, field site number, grid point locations (i.e., shovel test/transect or north/east coordinate), depth of artifacts, and initials of the excavator.
Site settings were photographed with a digital camera. Sketch maps were produced in the field showing the locations of shovel tests and surface finds. The locations of each site were recorded using a Trimble Pathfinder Global Positioning System (GPS) unit, and the locations were relayed onto project maps.
Testing Investigations
Test Units. Four of the sites identified during survey were considered potentially eligible for the NRHP at the survey level of investigation. To make a definitive statement of the sites’ NRHP eligibility (either eligible or not eligible) more in-depth investigations were conducted at these sites. Between eight and 15 1 by 2 meter units were excavated at each site.
All units were excavated in 10 cm levels. All level fill was screened through 1/4 inch wire mesh. Details of artifacts, soils, possible features, and disturbances were recorded in the field on standardized unit level forms. Artifacts were collected and placed in plastic bags labeled with the date, field site number, level number and depth, date, and initials of the excavator. If features were encountered, the excavation was halted so that the feature could be assessed. A representative unit profile and plan view of the unit floor was photographed and sketched in the field. Soil characteristics were recorded using a Munsell color chart. The location of each unit was plotted using a Trimble GPS unit.
Machine Scrapes. In addition to the test units, a trackhoe was used to expose additional subsurface areas in an attempt to locate intact subsurface cultural features. Typically, each scrape was large enough to view a 2 by 3 meter subsurface area; in areas of particular interest, the scrape was enlarged. Each scrape was numbered and carefully shovel shaved to expose features and artifact concentrations. In addition, each scrape was photographed and a sketch map was made of the scrape floor. The scrape locations were plotted using a Trimble GPS unit.
