Phase 2: Site Examination

    The site examination consisted of 9 additional STPs, as well as the more controlled excavation of 14 test units. The STPs were used to confirm the site boundaries and further identify areas of high artifact density. The majority of units were placed arbitrarily across the site in order to test the entire parcel; additional units were placed in areas of high artifact density.  
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Excavations
  
    The units measured 1 x 1 m (3.3 x 3.3 ft), and were excavated in 5 cm (2 in) levels within discrete soil horizons. As with the reconnaissance survey, all soil was screened through 1/4" hardware cloth to help the archaeologists collect all the artifacts.
  The units varied in depth, with northern units reaching sterile subsoil at very shallow depths, while southeastern units extended much deeper. This difference was due to the presence of a thick layer of sterile clay fill which had been deposited over the organic midden in the southeastern quadrant of the site. 		 

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Excavations		  
  The midden exhibited qualitative differences as well, with the southeastern portion of the site yielding a much darker midden with a higher density of artifacts, and the remainder of the site containing midden soils that were both lighter in color and less dense in artifacts. In some instances, the organic midden was mixed with deposits of ash and burned artifacts.   Bulk samples of the various soil types were saved for flotation analysis, a laboratory process which uses water and fine mesh screens to extract very small artifacts and organic remains (such as seeds or small bones).
 

Results

 

  The results of the site examination indicated that the midden contained thousands of artifacts from the mid- to late-nineteenth century, which coincided with the Carney family’s residency. The archival research indicated that the house was probably torn down around 1900, and given that the artifact assemblage did not contain twentieth century artifacts it is likely that the clay fill was deposited over the midden at about the same time period. The parcel gradually filled with trees, and became a wooded lot. These changes helped protect the site from disturbances such as the construction of a new home. Therefore, the archaeological deposits were determined to be intact and have high research potential. The site was declared eligible for the National Register of Historic Places, and PAF recommended that the proposed development of the parcel be proceeded by a data recovery excavation.

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