Phase 3: Data Recovery

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Excavations		  
  Data recovery occurred in the summer of 2003. The purpose of this excavation was to scientifically excavate a representative sample of the site prior to the development of the parcel. In doing so, a sample of the site’s data (including artifacts, soil profiles, features, etc.) were saved for archaeological and historical research, while at the same time allowing Cornell University to proceed with their
 
  development plans. The combined site examination and data recovery excavations recovered a 4% sample of the site. The data recovery consisted of 30 units placed within the project boundaries. At the start of the data recovery, 12 units were placed arbitrarily across the site at 7.5 m (25 ft) intervals. This ensured that the entire site was sampled. After these units had been excavated, the remaining 18 units were placed in areas that the archaeologists believed would produce the most data.  

    In general, the organic midden in the southeastern quadrant had the most artifacts, so quite a few units were placed here. Other units were used to trace the limits of the organic midden and the limits of the clay fill, which had only been used on a portion of the site. Units were also excavated to investigate possible features, which are non-portable artifacts such as foundations and pits. The excavation  
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Excavations
  
 

methods used during the data recovery were similar to those used during the site examination. The biggest difference between the two phases of excavation was that the data recovery crews could sometimes predict where the yellow fill soils had been deposited. In these units, the fill soils were removed as a single level and were not screened for artifacts. Normal excavation procedures were resumed when the midden was uncovered.

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