Phase II and Phase III Archaeological Database and Inventory
18CA239 Koubek
Diagnostic Artifact Data
Features
Summary
Koubek (18CA239) is a multicomponent site with an Early and Late Archaic, and Early to Late Woodland period short-term camp, a temporally unknown prehistoric ossuary, and remains of a late 19th to 20th century cannery. The site is situated on a tract of mixed wooded and developed land, and a large agricultural field overlooking Tuckahoe Creek, in Caroline County, Maryland. The topography varies across the site. The northeastern and east central portion of the property consists of a flat upland knoll with a slightly undulating surface. The terrain slopes gently to the west and south from this upland setting, leading down to a wide, flat terrace adjacent to the wooded swamp. A state highway extends through the center of the site, separating the plowed field from the wooded residential development in the north. A small wooded, ephemeral drainage bounds the northern edge of the site. The southern edge of the site is bounded by a larger forested setting. Soils in the site area range from Galestown loamy sand and Sassafras loamy sand to swamp and tidal marsh.
Phase I and Phase II investigations at the site were conducted starting in January 2009 ahead of the proposed replacement of a highway bridge over the creek. The goals of the Phase I/II survey were to determine the presence or absence of potentially significant cultural resources within the Area of Potential Effects (APE), to define the limits of the prehistoric and historic artifact concentrations, to identify discrete activity areas within each concentration, and to evaluate the eligibility of site 18CA239 for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places. The study area was divided into several zones (the southwest, southeast, northwest, and northeast quadrants, and the swamp and marsh soil bores). Phase I archeological investigations included archival research, preliminary pedestrian survey of the project area, and the excavation of shovel test pits (STPs) dug at 20 m intervals along transects. All excavated soils were screened, except for the bore samples, through 0.64 cm (¼”) mesh hardware cloth.
Archival research revealed that a steamboat landing, associated with the Wheeler Transportation Line which facilitated the shipment of goods along Tuckahoe Creek in the mid to late 1800s, was utilized along the west bank of the creek within the Talbot County portion of the study area. At Wheeler’s death in 1899, the company sold their steamboats and landings to the Baltimore, Chesapeake and Atlantic Railway Company. Aside from the landing, the area flanking the creek was largely unoccupied until the late 19th century when a new wooden bridge was constructed nearby. The area around the bridge came to be known as “Newbridge” (1897) then as “Tuckahoe Bridge” (1905). Records indicate that the “New Bridge Landing” was used by steamboats from 1906 to 1911. Ruins of a reported steamboat landing, possibly the New Bridge Landing, are present adjacent to the study area; foundations, midden deposits, and other ruins associated with the landing were thought to possibly exist within the study area.
During the late 19th and early 20th centuries Caroline County remained generally rural, maintaining small rural villages and larger towns located along landings. Historic maps of the area also showed that the land on the Caroline County side of the creek (probably the New Bridge Landing) was part of farmland owned by John H. Horsey. Horsey’s homestead dwelling was located east of the study area. A crossing across the Tuckahoe Creek was first depicted on a map of Caroline County published in 1897. A cannery was in operation on Horsey’s land probably as early as 1897 and was depicted at the bridge’s northeast quadrant on the map within the study area. In 1930, the Phillips Packing Company acquired the cannery at Newbridge. It is unclear when canning operations ceased at the plant. Only remnants of the canning house building are visible today, but it is unknown when the buildings were razed. The area today includes modern residential housing. No archeological sites had been recorded in the study area prior to the identification of 18CA239; however, several prehistoric sites and a handful of 19th and 20th century sites have been located within 3.2 km (2 miles) of the Koubek site.
A total of 6 STPs (NE-1 to NE-6) were dug in the northeast quadrant of the site area. Facilities associated with operation of the cannery were identified in the northeast quadrant. As seen on 19th and 20th century photos, the main cannery occupation operations were located on the north side of the old wood bridge with two large smokestacks located at the center of the operation set back behind several structures on the waterfront. At the time of the Phase I survey, brick was observed along the shoreline and inland that was thought to represent either the demolition of the smokestacks, or possibly a heating source used to process fruits and vegetables. A rectangular piling and cribbing feature was also observed in the creek shoreline, which possibly supported a white building observed in photos to be situated at the northern end of the complex. No artifacts other than 15 fragments of modern bottle glass were noted in the northeast quadrant and no materials were retained. The cannery ruins were located outside the APE and were not going to be disturbed during the proposed construction.
A total of 312 STPs were dug in the southeast quadrant during the Phase I survey. Six artifact loci were identified in the plowed field in the southeast quadrant. Loci 1, 2, 3 and 6 yielded small assemblages of debitage interpreted as distinct chipping/reduction features. The historic artifact assemblages from Loci 1, 4 and 5 contained domestic and architectural refuse spanning the mid-18th through the mid-20th centuries. A foundation and other features associated with laborer's housing and ancillary buildings, all associated with the Phillips Packing Company cannery, were present within the northwest corner of the southeast quadrant. Large quantities of domestic and activity classes of artifacts in the southern portion of the cannery resource, such as bottle and vessel glass, ceramics, buttons and faunal material, reflect social and kitchen activities associated with the labor pool employed in the cannery, distinct from the brick and cribbing features associated with the plant operation on the north side of MD 328. The loci are described in more detail below. The artifacts recovered from the Phase I testing were combined with the assemblage from the Phase II testing below. Artifacts are reported by individual locus as generally defined by the Phase I/II map in the original text. Artifacts from STPs and TUs that were not included within the boundaries of an artifact locus are described together.
Given the presence of temporally discrete prehistoric and historic deposits, site 18CA239 exhibited the potential to provide additional information relevant to the periods of occupation at the site. As the proposed bridge construction plans would impact the southeast quadrant of the project area (site 18CA239), a Phase II archeological evaluation was recommended. The APE in the southeast quadrant was subsequently reduced to include only Loci 1-4 as environmental mitigation plans changed. Phase II investigation was recommended for Loci 5 and 6 should future impacts occur in those areas. Prior to the Phase II investigation, the 20 meter grid system utilized during the Phase I study was re-established across the site. A total of 43 STPs, 28 one-meter square test units (TUs), and seven 50 cm test window (TW) excavations were conducted. All excavated soils were screened and all features were excavated. Features 4 and 6 (discussed below) were screened using 31 cm hardware cloth in order to recover small bone fragments that would pass through a larger diameter screen. In addition to the subsurface testing, pedological and geomorphological assessments of the site were done as well as a ground penetrating radar (GPR) survey and magnetometer survey in Locus 1, which was located closest to the bridge and within the limits of disturbance (LOD). Three 1.5-3.0 liter feature soil samples and one 4 liter control soil sample were collected for flotation and archeobotanical analysis.
Locus 1, located in the western portion of the site, produced the greatest quantity of artifacts recovered from the site. During the investigations, a total of 32 STPs, 18TUs, and 7 TWs were excavated within the locus. Historical background indicates that at least two frame dwellings and several outbuildings associated with the Phillips Packing Company once stood in this location. Features 1 through 3 are attributed to this complex of buildings. Feature 1(F1) consisted of a 50 cm wide x 80 cm long concentration of brick rubble that continued to the east beyond the excavation units. A section of two-course mortared brick was located under the rubble extending in a roughly northeast-southwest direction and was thought to possibly represent a foundation. Large quantities of architectural and kitchen-related debris were recovered from the feature fill. Feature 2 (F2), located west of F1, consisted of a 20 cm wide by 80 cm long rectangular sandstone footer. The surface of F2 tilted slightly to the southwest. Mortared brick was exposed at the base of F2, likely connecting the mortared brick observed in F1. Feature 3, located southwest of F2, consisted of a 40 cm diameter pit of loosely compacted soil containing complete and fragmentary glassware, bone, nail, metal, and ceramic objects. Charcoal was observed throughout the feature fill. Features 1-3 were left in situ, covered with plastic, and the excavations backfilled. Testing in the marshland to the west produced substantial fill deposits associated with demolition grading and filling. The western fill deposits, as well as the brick rubble in F1, suggested that any above-ground structure associated with the foundation was likely demolished and pushed into the marshland. Feature 5 was a historic period postmold located to the east of Features 1-3. The feature measured 20 cm wide and 2 metal fragments and 1 corroded nail were recovered from its fill. The feature was not described as being associated with the cannery operations in the original report.
While no hearths, pit features, or other subsurface indications of prehistoric occupation were encountered, the investigation at Locus 1 did partially expose two early burial features, one which contained at least three individuals of Native American ethnicity. Designated Feature 4, the remains were documented in situ and the burial reinterred at the completion of fieldwork. The limited portion of the burial exposed suggested that the burial pit formed a steeply sloped, oval-shaped feature approximately 2 m wide; the horizontal extent of the feature was undetermined. The results of the GPR survey indicated a 6x6 m anomaly encompassing the ossuary, possibly the limits of the feature. A second potential burial (Feature 6) was identified by GPR roughly 10 m to the northeast of Feature 4. Excavation of Feature 6 did not yield any human remains. The steep profile of the feature was similar to that observed in Feature 4, suggesting that Feature 6 could be associated with the northern limits of a second ossuary.
An osteological investigation of the human remains encountered in Feature 4 was conducted. The exposed remains were assessed in situ for purposes of determining age and sex, and documenting taphonomy, evidence of pathology, and cultural affiliation. Wooden tools and dry brushed were used to expose a little more than 5% of each skeleton. All skeletal elements were examined in place, with the exception of the mandible and maxillae belonging to Components 1 and 2. These were removed for dental documentation, but placed back in the original footprints from which they were removed. The remains were then reburied. Component 1, the southernmost burial, represented the remains of a subadult (aged 11 or 12 years) with morphological attributes commonly associated with Native American ancestry. The skull was positioned with the face turned toward the east. No pathology was noted. Component 2, the central burial, represents the remains of an older adult male aged 40-49 years. The cranial bones were unusually thick, possibly indicating that this individual suffered from an anemic condition called porotic hyperotosis. Component 3 was the northernmost of the burials. The limited number of visible remains suggested that this was likely the burial of an adult male. No pathology was observed. The position and orientation of all the human remains present in the burial/ossuary indicated that this was probably a secondary burial site.
A total of 4,063 historic artifacts were recovered from Locus 1 during the Phase I/II investigations. There were 80 activity items: 14 pieces of barbed wire, 1 iron buckle and 1 brass ring from a bridle tack, 53 fragments of chimney glass, 1 possible lead bale seal, 2 metal straps -1 with brass rivet, 1 shard of light bulb glass, 1 fragment of a plow blade, 4 pieces of fence wire, 1 clay pigeon, and 1 broken safety pin. There were 2,317 architectural items: 1,069 bricks and brick fragments, 100 window glass shards, 138 cut nails, 210 wire nails, 758 unidentified nails, 12 pieces of mortar, 1 mortar/plaster with painted exterior, 18 spikes, 3 screws, 3 poultry staples, 1 u-shaped metal bracket, 1 metal washer, 1 terra cotta drain pipe, and 2 bolts. There were 23 clothing items: 2 metal buttons, 1 brass button stamped “US Army”, 1 metal/rubber button, 1 plastic button, 3 milk glass buttons, 2 grommets, 1 fastener/snap, and 12 fragments of a leather shoe including an eyelet, heel and 2 grommets. There was 1 furniture item, a D-ring pull handle. There were 1,079 kitchen-related items: 525 bottles and bottle glass fragments, 62 vessel glass (table and jar) fragments, 1 fragment of milk glass/vessel glass, 259 ceramic sherds (14 creamware, 24 pearlware, 2 gray salt-glazed stoneware, 74 whiteware, 9 glazed redware, 6 unglazed redware, 100 ironstone, 13 late porcelain, 8 buff-bodied salt-glazed stoneware, 1 Albany slip, 8 unidentified sherds), 1 metal utensil handle, 2 metal bottle caps, 35 can fragments, and 174 oyster and clam shell fragments, and 20 animal bone fragments, 1 with visible saw marks. One of the ironstone sherds was a base fragment with several pierced holes. It likely functioned as a strainer. There were 551 miscellaneous items: 428 unidentifiable metal objects, 4 unidentifiable glass pieces, 1 piece of plastic, 35 corroded wire fragments, 3 pieces of rubber/vinyl with woven texture on surface, 1 bar stock iron, 2 metal pipe sections, 54 pieces of coal/coal ash, 21 cinder/slag pieces, and 2 pieces of clinker. There were 3 personal items: 1 tin lid with “Garwoods Violet Breath Hearts…”, 1 plastic ?Bakelite comb fragment, and 2 decorated plastic comb pieces. There was 1 tobacco item, a kaolin pipe stem fragment. There were 8 arms-related items: six .22 caliber shells and 2 shotgun shells. All counts were taken from the artifact inventory in the original report except for brick, window and bottle glass, nails, ceramics, and oyster which were taken from a table within the text.
A total of 806 prehistoric artifacts were recovered from Locus 1 during the Phase I/II investigations. There were 714 pieces of debitage (5 argillite, 51 rhyolite, 10 chalcedony, 49 chert, 159 jasper, 439 quartz and 1 quartzite), 4 tested cobbles (3 quartz and 1 chert), and 3 cores (1 each chalcedony, jasper and quartz). There were 7 tools including 2 quartz and 1 jasper bifaces, 2 Late Archaic Susquehanna Broadspear points (1 jasper, 1 argillite), 1 jasper point, and 1quartz point. There were 43 fire-cracked rock (FCR) fragments. The single other lithic item was a hammerstone. A total of 35 ceramic sherds were identified including 14 Early Woodland grit/sand tempered Accokeek, 4 Middle Woodland cord-marked, shell tempered Mockley, 1 Early Woodland cord-marked, quartz tempered Wolfe Neck, 1 Late Woodland Townsend and 11 shell tempered and 4 quartz tempered unidentified sherds. Overall, the lithic assemblage recovered from Locus 1 reflects long-term resource procurement activities and tool manufacture and maintenance. Diagnostic artifacts illustrate Late Archaic to Late Woodland periods of occupation. Local gravel and cobble deposits were utilized for stone tool production. Nodules of chalcedony may have derived from local cobble beds but the presence of a chalcedony core and secondary and non-cortical flakes are likely indicators that the lithic resource was brought on site partially prepared and further reduced. Rhyolite and argillite represented non-local materials. A private collector revealed that the foot from a tripodal vessel and a polished stone tube pipe had been collected from the field. It was suggested that the presence of those items supports the potential for an Adena component (Early Woodland) at the site.
Four soil samples were recovered for flotation and botanical analysis, one from Feature 2, one from Feature 6, one from Feature 4 and a non-cultural control sample for Feature 4. All plant remains recovered were combined and passed through a 2mm sieve, yielding fractions of ≥2mm and ≤ 2mm. A total of 1.89 grams of carbonized material was collected, primarily from Feature 2 (1.87 g) and Feature 4 (0.02 g); no carbonized material was collected from Feature 6 or the non-cultural sample. The samples associated with Features 4 and 6 were devoid of cultural materials. The sample associated with Feature 2 contained an array of cultural artifacts including bone fragments, fish scales, ceramic sherds, nails, bottle glass, a brass straight pin fragment coal and clinker, and pieces of aluminum foil.
Carbonized plant macro-remains from the site were limited to wood charcoal, which totaled 197 fragments. Within Feature 4, wood remains totaled 5 fragments which were classifiable only as ‘deciduous’. The presence of such a small sample may be indicative of incidental inclusions into the soil stratigraphy. A concentration of wood present in Feature 2 totaled 192 fragments which were identified as maple (60%) and pine (40%). Despite the absence of comestible plant remains within Feature 2, the archeobotanical wood charcoal in association with a wide array of kitchen-related artifacts suggested that the feature was in some way directly involved with food preparation or processing.
Locus 2 was situated about 60 m east of Locus 1. Locus 2 was defined by 4 STPs and 4 TUs. The locus yielded a trace number of debitage, a jasper Early Archaic Corner-notched Kirk/Palmer projectile point, and a hammerstone, and a few mid-19th to early 20th century domestic and architectural artifacts from the plowzone and a lower leached or eluviated soil. The poorly drained nature of the underlying subsoil, recovery of cultural deposits within a disturbed context, and absence of any subsurface cultural features suggested that the cultural materials represented secondary deposition and not an intact activity area.
A total of 8 historic artifacts were recovered from Locus 2 during the Phase I/II investigations. There were 3 architectural items: 2 brick fragments and 1 window glass shard. There were 5 kitchen-related items: 1 bottle glass fragment and 4 ceramic sherds (2 pearlware, 1 porcelain, 1 whiteware).
A total of 8 prehistoric artifacts were recovered from Locus 2 during the Phase I/II investigations. There were 6 pieces of debitage (2 chert, 2 jasper, 2 quartz) and 1
Early Archaic jasper Kirk corner notched point. There was 1 other lithic item, a hammerstone. The Kirk point represents the earliest diagnostic artifact recovered from the site.
Locus 3 was located south and east of Locus 2. It was tested with 7 STPs and 2 TUs. The soil profiles indicated that the area had been subjected to soil deflation and the exposure of relic gravelly sand matrices in a near-surface context. No subsurface cultural features were identified in Locus 3.
A total of 3 historic artifacts were recovered from Locus 3 during the Phase I/II investigations. There was 1 cut nail in the architectural category. There was 1 creamware in the kitchen-related items. One kaolin pipe stem fragment comprised the tobacco items.
Locus 4, situated west of Locus 3 and south of Locus 2, was defined by 10 STPs and 3 TUs. Multiple plowzone horizons were evident in the area which indicated that extensive plowing mixed the artifact assemblage and destroyed any potential for intact deposits. A small number of debitage, ceramic and FCR, as well as a small count of late 18th-20th century domestic and architectural refuse were noted within the sequence of plowzone horizons.
A total of 57 historic artifacts were recovered from Locus 4 during the Phase I/II investigations. There were 26 architectural items: 22 brick fragments, 1 window glass shard, 2 cut nails, and 1 unidentified nail. There were 27 kitchen-related items: 17 ceramic sherds (1 creamware, 2 earthenware, 1 ironstone, 5 pearlware, 1 stoneware, 7 whiteware) and 10 oyster shell fragments. There were 4 miscellaneous items: unidentified metal objects.
A total of 12 prehistoric artifacts were recovered from Locus 4 during the Phase I/II investigations. There were 6 pieces of debitage (5 jasper, 1 quartz), 1 jasper tested cobble, 4 FCR, and 1 shell-tempered sherd.
Locus 5, situated just south of Locus 4, was defined by 23 STPs. It contained late 18th through 20th century domestic and architectural refuse predominantly within a sequence of plowzone horizons. A small number of ceramics, glass, brick, and faunal remains were also recorded within the initial 20 cm of subsoil in this locus. Despite the disturbed context of the collection, the greater frequency and diversity of artifacts in the northwest corner of the locus suggested the potential for intact archeological deposits to be present. Locus 5 was determined to be outside of the APE therefore no Phase II testing was done there. Phase II investigation was recommended for Locus 5 should future impacts occur in the area.
A total of 82 historic artifacts were recovered from Locus 5 during the Phase I investigations. There were 27 architectural items: 14 brick fragments, 3 cut nails, 3 wire nails, and 7 unidentified nail. There were 53 kitchen-related items: 4 bottle glass, 1 table glass fragment, 2 creamware, 1 earthenware, 2 porcelain, 17 pearlware, 4 glazed redware, 20 whiteware, 1 oyster shell fragment, and 1 animal bone fragment. There were 2 miscellaneous items: unidentified metal objects.
A total of 11 prehistoric artifacts were recovered from Locus 5 during the Phase I investigations. There were 7 pieces of debitage (2 chert, 5 quartz), 2 FCR, and 2 shell-tempered sherds.
Locus 6, defined by 9 STPs, was located in the southern portion of the site. A small collection of prehistoric artifacts, including ceramics and debitage, along with a few historic items, were collected from a sequence of plowzone horizons in Locus 6. No subsurface features or anomalies were observed. The density of jasper and quartz debitage in a small area likely reflects an isolated chipping feature. Locus 6 was determined to be outside of the APE therefore no Phase II testing was done there. Phase II investigation was recommended for Locus 6 should future impacts occur in the area.
The single historic item recovered from Locus 6 was a sherd of buff-bodied earthenware.
A total of 10 prehistoric artifacts were recovered from Locus 6 during the Phase I investigations. There were 6 pieces of debitage (1 chert, 3 jasper, 2 quartz), and 4 ceramic sherds (1 grit/sand-tempered possibly but not definitively Accokeek and 3 shell-tempered sherds).
A total of 88 historic artifacts were recovered from the general site area during the Phase I/II investigations. There were 15 architectural items: 10 brick fragments, 2 cut nails, 2 unidentified nails, and 1 poultry staple. There were 72 kitchen-related items: 63 bottle glass, 1 table glass fragment, 1 buff-bodied earthenware, 1 gray salt-glazed stoneware, 1 creamware, 3 whiteware, and 2 aluminum pull tabs. There was 1 miscellaneous item: an unidentified metal object.
A total of 14 prehistoric artifacts were recovered from the general site area during the Phase I/II investigations. There were 13 lithic objects (1 chert, 5 jasper, 6 quartz, 1 quartz tested cobble) and 1 shell-tempered ceramic sherd.
Site 18CA239 exhibits intact foundation remains and artifact deposits associated with a late 19th to mid-20th century cannery site. Two distinct activity areas, the main processing plant and the adjacent laborers housing/ancillary structures, are evident based on the types of foundation remains present and the classes of artifacts identified in each area. Domestic refuse encountered in the laborers area reflects an assortment of consumed foodstuffs, as well as tableware and crockery employed by the occupants, and provides a unique overview of the consumer patterns of the seasonal residents, a subject poorly understood in the study of cannery sites. Site 18CA239 also contains a Native American ossuary and lithic reduction workstation in the northwest corner of the site, as well as additional artifact concentrations associated with Early Archaic through Late Woodland period activities distributed across the remainder of the property. Based on the diversity of artifact types, several activities took place at the site including lithic resource procurement and stone tool manufacture and maintenance, food preparation, and a construction of a burial ground for the deceased.
Based on the results of the archeological investigations, the Koubek Site (18CA239) was considered eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places. Site 18CA239 was found to exhibit intact foundation remains and artifact deposits associated with a late 19th to mid-20th century cannery site. Two distinct activity areas, the main processing plant and the adjacent laborers housing and ancillary structures, were identified. Furthermore, Site 18CA239 contains discrete resources associated with Early Archaic through Late Woodland period Native American occupation in the location. The presence of an undisturbed ossuary offered a unique opportunity to expand our understanding of Native American burial practices in the Chesapeake Bay region. Evidence of on-site activities including lithic resource procurement and stone tool manufacture and maintenance, and food preparation could provide detailed information not only of the specific activity areas within the site, but long-term trends in site use. The proposed bridge construction would impact Site 18CA239. Thus, in the summer of 2010, a Phase III Data Recovery was carried out for portions of the site within LOD for the bridge and road project.
A rubber-wheeled backhoe was utilized to strip away the plowzone matrix from the LOD to expose potential archeological features associated with a Native American ossuary previously located outside of the LOD, Early Archaic through Woodland period activities, and the late 19th through mid 20th century use of the property as part of canning operations, including worker’s housing and other ancillary structures. An approximately 30 to 40 cm wide berm of soil located along the foot of the silt fence was hand-excavated to fully expose the testable portion of the project right-of-way (ROW). The 20 m grid system utilized on the Phase I/II investigation was re-established across the site.
Features were exposed to the fullest extent possible within the project ROW. Features were mapped and photographed in plan view prior to excavation, then bisected along their longest axis and one half was excavated in 5 or 10 cm arbitrary levels. The feature profiles were drawn and photographed. Those features identified as non-cultural or late 20th century disturbance were not excavated in their entirety, otherwise, the remaining half of the features were fully excavated. Soil samples 5 to 9 liters in size were taken of identified cultural features excluding post holes/molds, which were randomly sampled based on common sizes and shapes. Final mapping and photography were completed after the feature was excavated. All feature locations were plotted on a scale map of the project study area.
The excavation methods for the fire cracked rock clusters recorded in the LOD consisted of exposing and pedestalling any rocks within the top 10 to 15 cm of soil. In most instances, there were no deeper rocks. For the larger clusters, the pedestals were done on one half first, and then the other. A buffer of at least 20 cm was excavated beyond the last rock, and probing by pin flag was performed to ensure good edges on the clusters. The soil was reexamined for the presence of an associated pit. Following documentation, the rocks were removed and flotation and other samples were removed from the pedestals (from the densest parts when available). Any remaining pedestals were screened. Artifacts from the screened pedestals were combined with artifacts recovered from the surrounding feature matrix within the cluster.
All soils were screened through wire mesh in order to ensure uniform recovery of artifacts regardless of age, cultural affiliation, or provenience. Feature fill from historic post molds/holes, as well as 20th century demolition middens, were subjected to screening through standard ¼ in hardware mesh, whereas the remaining historic and prehistoric features were processed through 1/8 in wire mesh. Soils were excavated in 10 cm levels within each horizon and screened separately. Artifacts were collected and provenienced by stratigraphic layer. Soil profile information, including measurements, soil texture, and color, was recorded on standardized forms. All features and land modifications were located on scaled base maps and backfilled upon completion Photographs in digital and black-and-white medium were taken of each excavated area as needed.
A total of 167 features were recorded during the Phase III data recovery excavation. Of the 167 features identified, 119 features were positively identified as to cultural origin, 28 features were of unknown origin, and the remainder were the result of geological, bioturbation, or modern disturbance. Site excavations revealed that the Koubek Site was affected by plowing of the setting and late 20th century demolition activities associated with the current owner’s possession of the property. A mixed variety of 18th through mid 20th century artifacts, including machine-cut and wire nails, sawn wood debris, and domestic items, such as bottle glass and ceramics, as well as prehistoric artifacts, attest to the disturbed nature of the overlying soils.
Despite the impact from the demolition activities, a number of prehistoric and historic features were present within the LOD.
A total of 90 post features recorded during the Phase III investigation reflect both fence line construction and likely building footprints associated with the cannery in the western portion of the LOD. In addition, several shallow midden deposits were identified which were associated primarily with the camps of the migratory cannery workers that were historically documented to be on-site. The shallow nature of the deposits and mix of prehistoric and 18th through 20th century refuse in the feature matrix precludes defining any specific function of the middens (i.e. food preparation, household refuse disposal). The few faunal remains found suggest that fish was consumed but was not the principal source of their diet. A series of 19 small, square and circular stains surround one of the midden features, and were thought to possibly represent the locations of tent posts, with the midden area being a communal refuse disposal locale. Also in the area was a 30.5 cm diameter metal can sunk into the subsoil and filled with trash, illustrating adaptive reuse of an empty can to create a trash receptacle. The can feature had been truncated by plowing and other evidence of disturbance in this camp area bring into question the integrity of the deposits.
Another recognized component of the cannery workers’ camp was a crudely constructed cold storage feature. The feature consists of reused portions of concrete wall placed to create a slab and three walls. These concrete walls were butted together to create a tight fit. Pieces of corrugated metal may have served as a roof and door for the structure. This ty
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