Westville Estates,Taunton

 

One hundred and four 50 x 50 cm. test pits (88 systematically placed along eight transects and 16 in four array brackets) were excavated in high potential areas in close proximity to swamp land on the property of the proposed Village of Hanover (Figure 7). A total of 37 artifacts were recovered (29 prehistoric, 8 historic). Three prehistoric sites were identified with diagnostic prehistoric material being found at only one. Prehistoric artifacts recovered were limited to 19 pieces of chipping debris, two core fragments, five shatter fragments, one piece of fire-cracked rock and two Late Archaic (6000-3000 years BP) projectile points. Historic material was limited to redware, possible brick and one hand-wrought nail fragment. Unfortunately none of these materials are datable any more specifically that to possibly before 1820 for the nail and possibly before the late 19^th century for the redware. Due to deep historic plowing and the low density of prehistoric cultural material recovered none of the sites identified during the Intensive Survey is considered to have the potential to make a significant contribution to a better understanding of the local or regional framework of prehistory or history. No further testing is recommended for any of the prehistoric sites identified in the Intensive (locational) Survey.

Wicket's Island

 

A Site Examination was conducted around the foundation of the Lot Harding House in Truro, Massachusetts prior to repair work on the foundation of the House. The Lot Harding House is listed on the MHC's Inventory of the Historic and Archaeological Assets of the Commonwealth and is located at 81 North Pamet Road within the Pamet Historical area (TRU.1) and the Cape Cod National Seashore. The area around the house consists of grass, a crushed surf clam shell driveway, cedar and maple trees and ornamental plantings adjacent to the house sill. Site Examination testing included the excavation of three one meter long by 50 cm. wide and one one-and-one half meter long by 50 cm. wide hand-excavated trenches adjacent to the sills of the house. A total of 2852 artifacts were recovered. Three features, all dating to the twentieth century were also identified. Site Examination testing helped to bolster support for a mid to late eighteenth century construction date for the house and also identified evidence of building alteration in the eighteenth century. No original foundation was uncovered and no builder’s trench associated with the construction of the house was identified. The area immediately adjacent to the Lot Harding House was found to be rich in artifacts, but many portions have been previously impacted in the twentieth century by utility, bulkhead and sill shoring construction. The Site Examination determined that no builder’s trench was present. The lack of a builder’s trench and the extensive disturbance located adjacent to the house makes this area ineligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places. The Site Examination did not negate the remainder of the property or the house for possible inclusion, merely the area that was tested during the Site Examination. It is recommended that the proposed sill shoring be allowed to proceed without further archaeological testing adjacent to the house.

Nantucket Housing Authority

Agawam Site, Wareham

 

Ninety-nine test pits (71 systematically placed along two transects and 28 in seven array brackets) were excavated in high potential areas on the west side of the proposed roadway (Figure 8). A total of 172 artifacts were recovered (18 prehistoric, 154 historic).Four prehistoric sites were identified with diagnostic prehistoric material and a feature being found at only one. Prehistoric artifacts recovered consisted of six pieces of chipping debris, one core fragments, ten shatter fragments and one possible Middle Archaic (6000-8000 years BP) projectile point midsection.

One historic site with one identified and one potential feature was identified. This site is a refuse disposal area and potential house site associated with the operation of the Kinney and Morse Stave mill in the late nineteenth century. Historic artifacts recovered consisted of glass (n=41 vessel and flat glass), ceramics (n=12 ironstone and whiteware), brick (n=9), tar (n=9), coal (n=7), animal bone (n=17), charcoal and unburned architectural wood (n=9), leather (n=7), oyster shell (n=2), wall plaster (n=3), machine-cut nails (n=24), unidentified iron fragments (n=6), one iron hinge fragment, one iron buckle, one brass .32 cal bullet shell, and one blue enamelware fragment. The historic artifacts recovered date the site to the late nineteenth century.

All four of the sites lie within the area to be developed and may be destroyed during subsequent development of the property. If both the developer and the Wareham Historical Commission are agreeable to further work being conducted at these four sites. Further testing of three of the prehistoric sites (Lot 9, 8 and 7 Sites) and the one historic site (Kinney House Site) is recommended at the Site Examination level.