Assessment

Project Description

The history of 180 Old Colchester Road suggests that the land may still contain cultural resources. A structure once stood on the southern edge of the property, as evidenced by the 1965 aerial survey and 1985 developer map. The southwest corner of the property was just out side of the Goldstein living space, and may have been used for refuse as farmers of the time tended to use the edges of their property for trash disposal. Additionally, the west edge of the property is likely untouched by construction activity and may also contain refuse. Due to the construction in 1985 the integrity of these resources is indeterminate. In order to locate and assess the extent of any archaeological remains, I will conduct a Phase I (shovel testing) survey.

I propose seven shovel tests to investigate the historic structure. Five shovel tests are located at the corners, one in the center and one outside the structure. The shovel test in the center is outside the 1985 construction zone. The shovel test outside the structure is intended to test for a builder’s trench.

The remaining shovel tests are intended to assess the remaining cultural resources. One transect, running along the southern boundary, contains nine shovel tests placed ten meters apart. Two transects, containing eight shovel tests each, run north-south. The first transect runs along the western property boundary, the second runs parallel, ten meters to the east. The transects do not follow cardinal north or east, but rather the angel of the boundaries.

The eastern boundary will not be tested due to the road. Old Colchester Road, visible on a 1744 map, has been expanded and maintained multiple times in the preceding years, thus the archaeological record along the road is likely disturbed. The northern boundary will not be tested either. During the life of the farm, that land was plowed field, leaving little cultural material. Any archaeological resources have likely been lost due to the planted tree line. The center of the property will not be tested. The developer’s map from 1985 (see below) shows where intensive construction was planned, therefore my survey will not intrude on that disturbed land.

Each shovel test will measure 50x50cm² and extend to a depth of 1 meter or 10cm into C, whichever is encountered first. All shovel tests will be screened, then backfilled. With 24 total shovel tests, the project will last about 2.5 days with two volunteer field technicians. I plan to wait until Spring of 2017 to start subsurface testing.  A budget of $80 will cover a shovel and the construction of a screen.