SHOVEL TESTING

Thirty-six of 38 STPs were excavated within Areas A (n=13) and C (n=23), located on the stream terrace bisected by Shady Bridge Road. Area C contained both plowed (planted in alfalfa at the time of investigation) and unplowed (wooded) portions (Figure 7-1). Soils within Areas A and C consisted of loamy sand, with organic materials decreasing with depth (soil color sequence of 10YR3/2-4/4, 10YR5/6-6/4, 10YR6/4-7.5YR5/6) and compactness increasing with depth, reflecting an A/Ap-E-B horizon sequence (Figure 7-2). Darker colored horizontal lamellae were present within the B horizon at 50-100 cm below ground surface.

The plow zone (Ap) ranged in thickness from 25 to 30 cm. The wooded areas were dense and contained heavy underbrush and mature hardwoods (18-24 inches in diameter). Based on the sizes of the trees, this portion of the LOC had likely been wooded for over 50 years. Tree roots were encountered throughout the profile, and in some cases, caused the placement of excavations to be adjusted in order to avoid dense or large roots. While there was no direct evidence that the wooded portion of the LOC have ever been plowed, repeated and extensive tree growth and soil development could have masked the presence of an early plow zone.

Areas B and D, located north of Bridge 2-210A, consisted of low wetlands and marshy areas with standing water. Soils in these areas included fill utilized to raise the existing roadbed approximately 1 m above the wetlands. A single STP was excavated within each of Areas B and D to verify that the fill was situated directly over wetland soils, thus indicating little or no potential for the presence of cultural deposits (Figure 6-1). The immediate vicinity (10-20 meters) to both approaches to Bridge 2-210A was visibly disturbed with drainage features, utility lines, and an undulating ground surface, the latter possibly resulting from the channelization of Culbreth March Ditch. Due to these obvious disturbances, no STPs were excavated in these areas.

In total, 105 prehistoric artifacts, 1 historical artifact, and 1 faunal fragment were recovered from 22 positive STPS excavated within Areas A and C. The prehistoric artifacts consisted primarily of thermally altered stone (TAS) fragments and lithic debitage. In addition, three quartz-tempered ceramic sherds (consistent with descriptions of the Early Woodland Wolfe Neck ware) were recovered, from STPs C-8, C-16, and C-23 (Figure 7-1). The prehistoric artifacts were concentrated within the wooded area on the highest portion of the landform within the LOC (Figure 7-3). The artifact concentration was bisected by Shady Bridge Road, which had removed an unknown portion of the site. The majority of the artifacts that remained (89 percent) were found in Area C, east of the road, while a small number were recovered from Area A, the narrow strip west of the road. Artifact density appeared greatest near the center of Area C, as depicted by the results of a cluster analysis of shovel test data shown in Figure 7-3. Artifact frequency decreased to the east and north: the distribution was interrupted by a borrow pit to the east and by road disturbances and Culbreth Marsh Ditch to the north. The existing road and the western edge of the LOC bounded the distribution to the west, although shovel test data from Area A, west of the road, suggested a decrease in artifact frequency. To the south and southeast, shovel testing conducted in the plowed field indicated that the distribution also decreased. Thus, the artifact distribution, as it occurred within the LOC, measured approximately 55 m north-to-south (grid N95 to N150) and 30 m east-to-west (grid E480 to E510).

Figure 7.1. Shovel Test Distribution in Areas A and C.

Figure 7.2. Selected Shovel Test Profiles, Areas A, C, and D.

In terms of vertical artifact provenience, artifacts recovered from the STPs in both Area A and Area C were evenly split between Stratum A (including both Ao and Ap horizons) and Stratum B (the E horizon). In total, 51 artifacts were recovered from the E horizon, at depths ranging from 20 to 50 cm below ground surface.