Phase II and Phase III Archaeological Database and Inventory
18FR750 Monocacy Blvd. Bridge
Diagnostic Artifact Data
Features
Summary
The Monocacy Boulevard Bridge Site (18FR750) is a deeply-buried, stratified Early and Late Woodland site situated on the north floodplain of the Monocacy River. Site 18FR750 appears to have served as a short-term camp or resource procurement site. The general character of the assemblage recovered from the site is indicative of a range of activities including stone tool production, tool maintenance, and food preparation. The floodplain near Site 18FR750 is characterized by a low wet area north of a low central ridge. The low area was probably a back channel adjacent to the upland area. The low (a 2.5-3.0 m rise) ridge extends across much of the floodplain west of the site. The site area incorporates the Huntington and Lindside soil series.
The Monocacy Boulevard Bridge Site was identified during Phase I archeological survey along the proposed route of an extension to Monocacy Blvd. The road extension and survey work were part of a broader development project to build a new industrial park. This Phase I survey was carried out in 1999 and discovered or re-identified 10 archeological sites (7 prehistoric and 3 historic) within the project area. In the vicinity of 18FR750 (initially known as Area B), a total of 36 shovel tests were excavated at 20 m intervals. Three additional shovel tests were not excavated due to disturbance associated with construction of the existing portion of Monocacy Boulevard. Twelve shovel tests encountered prehistoric artifacts below the plowzone, in buried cultural horizons (which were present across the entire site). In addition to the shovel testing, three 1 X 1 m test units were excavated to sample deeply buried deposits on the floodplain. Artifacts recovered from the buried horizons suggest that prehistoric occupations were likely intact. The recovery of prehistoric ceramics suggested a more substantial or longer-term occupation of the site. The prevalence of shatter and non-cortex flakes indicated that stone tool maintenance and/or late stage lithic reduction were the primary activities on the site. The presence of fire-cracked rock suggested the potential for intact hearth features. A possible rock feature, a cluster of manuports, was identified in one of the test units. Based on these factors, Phase II testing was recommended at the site prior to bridge construction.
Prehistoric artifacts recovered during the Phase I survey include; 5 ceramic sherds (1 quartz and shell tempered, 4 quartz tempered), 2 bifaces, 124 pieces of debitage, 22 fragments of fire-cracked rock, a hammerstone, a sandstone mano, an unmodified piece of rhyolite (manuport), and an unmodified piece of sandstone (manuport). The four quartz tempered sherds resemble Shepard-like wares associated with the Late Woodland Montgomery focus. The quartz and shell tempered sherd resembles the Late Woodland Luray Phase Keyser ware. Lithic debitage consisted almost exclusively of shatter (43) and non-cortex flakes (72). In addition to these prehistoric objects, two historic items were encountered; a common wire nail and a lead bullet.
After the site’s initial discovery during Phase I, current construction plans were reviewed to determine the potential impact to the site. The plans called for the excavation of three support piers and the placement of a large area of fill associated with the proposed bridge within the currently defined site boundary. In addition, the site likely extends beyond the area of potential effect and thus, Phase II testing was undertaken to further refine the site chronology, boundaries, and to determine the significance of the site. The testing work began with the placement of a 40 m grid on the site using an Electronic Distance Meter. A total of 162 Shovel tests were excavated at 10 m intervals, filling in between Phase I shovel tests and extending the area of survey 20 m to the west and 10 m to the east. Thirty-eight of the 162 shovel tests encountered prehistoric artifacts, and one encountered historic artifacts. The prehistoric artifacts were most concentrated within 70 m of the river. Data obtained during Phase I/II shovel testing were used to determine the placement of ten 1 X 1 m test units. Test units were placed in these areas to characterize activities and evaluate the integrity of the archeological deposits present.
Again, deeply buried cultural horizons were identified across the site. Two prehistoric features were encountered, both concentrations of fire-cracked rock. The first (Feature 5-01) contained a concentration of 15 fire-cracked rocks (several could be refitted), lithic shatter (3), a possible Selden Island sherd, fragments of burnt/fired clay (7), small shell fragments (4), unburned nut/seed pieces (2), and charcoal. This assemblage suggests a possible hearth that may have been used for cooking activities, although fire-reddened soil was not observed. A soil sample for flotation and charcoal sample for radiocarbon dating were recovered from the feature. Little additional information was gained from flotation, but the carbon sample yielded a conventional date of 2,150 BP or a 2 sigma calibrated date of Cal BC 395 to Cal AD 45, which matches closely the accepted dates for Selden Island ceramics (Early Woodland-early Middle Woodland). The second concentration of fire-cracked rock (Feature 6-01) is also suggestive of a hearth. In addition to fire-cracked rock (3), lithic shatter (3), unburnt nut seeds (3), a piece of shell, and charcoal were recovered. A soil sample was removed for flotation, but the charcoal was not sufficient for dating. A third possible feature was also identified during Phase II work. This was a “placement” of two manuports (one rhyolite and one rolled sandstone) together. Another possible feature encountered during Phase II work turned out to be a burned tree root. The presence of several activity areas is inferred based on the segregation of different lithic materials and lithic reduction activities across the site.
The complete prehistoric assemblage recovered during Phase II testing includes 503 objects. Eleven of these are ceramic sherds; 9 are quartz tempered (probable Shepard sherds), 1 is quartz and shell tempered (a probable Keyser sherd), and 1 is a steatite and quartz tempered sherd reminiscent of Selden Island ware (which dates from the Late Early Woodland to the early Middle Woodland). In addition to the ceramic sherds, 7 unidentified non-vessel burnt clay fragments were recovered from the site. Lithics from the site include 1 Levanna point, 4 unidentified projectile points/knives, a flake blank, 3 flake tools, 2 cores, and 318 pieces of debitage. The remaining Phase II artifacts were a heated cobble, 128 pieces of fire-cracked rock, 3 manuports, 3 pieces of sandstone (soil components?), 7 fragments of burnt wood, 6 unburnt seeds/nuts, and 4 fragments of shell. The Late Woodland Levanna point and Shepard-like quartz tempered ceramics were all recovered from the southernmost portion of the site, within 40-45 m of the river. Geomorphological studies at the site indicate that this portion of the floodplain received the greatest amount of alluvial deposition and thus is most likely to produce stratified deposits during periods of relative stability on the floodplain. In addition to these prehistoric objects, a common machine cut nail and 2 French gunflint flakes were also excavated.
Following Phase II testing and the recognition of the site’s significance (as an intact, stratified site with features and both diagnostic and datable material), it was determined that construction plans at the site could not be altered and would adversely impact the site. Thus, Phase III data recovery excavations were carried out to mitigate the impact to portions of the site within the bridge and road right-of-way. Three trenches were excavated in the footprint locations of two bridge piers and a waterline (which would be constructed roughly parallel to the bridge/perpendicular to the river). Portions of the site within the route of the bridge approach would be preserved by a “cap” of soil cement, upon which the road would be graded and constructed. A preferred historic preservation easement was agreed upon by MHT and the City of Frederick for the remaining portions of the site extending west.
In accordance with the mitigation plan, the soil above the Ab cultural horizon was removed from the trench areas in a controlled manner using a backhoe outfitted with a clean-up blade. Once the Ab horizon was exposed, the top of the horizon was examined for evidence of features. Additional mechanical excavation was conducted in small increments of 2-5 cm when no features were evident on the top of the Ab horizon. The trenches were subdivided into “sections” to provide horizontal control and minimal provenience was recorded for artifacts recovered during mechanical excavation (above or within the Ab horizon). Mechanical excavations were suspended when soil stains or concentrations of fire-cracked rock were encountered. All archeological features were then photographed, mapped, and hand excavated. Features were bisected, if warranted, and cross sections were drawn. Minimum samples of 50% of large features (i.e. pits and hearths greater than 1 m in diameter) were collected. All artifacts were collected from smaller features. In accordance with the mitigation plan, the trenches generally did not extend far below the Ab horizon associated with the prehistoric occupation of the site. This buried surface varied in depth and thickness across the site. The Ab horizon was deepest and most developed near the river, thinned and eventually disappeared 60-70 m from the river, and reappeared approximately 140 m from the river. Soil anomalies/features were encountered in all of the trenches; however, those features that were clearly prehistoric in nature tended to be located near the river. A majority (8) of the soil anomalies encountered during the mitigation of the pier and waterline footprints were determined to represent the remains of tree roots. Four of the 14 features were identified as concentrations of fire-cracked rock that were clearly prehistoric in origin. A rock-filled pit feature originating in the plowzone was determined to be historic. Another possible feature, a charcoal-rich conical stain was not clearly cultural or natural.
Archeological data recovery efforts were focused on the identification and excavation of features at the site. Although relatively few artifacts were recovered from the features that were identified, over a hundred artifacts were recovered during excavation of test units opened up within the trenches around features and during general collection at the site. These artifacts were recovered from varied proveniences and it is difficult to make additional generalizations beyond those made from Phase I and II collections regarding prehistoric activity on the site. Fifteen ceramic sherds were recovered during Phase III work, including a Marcey Creek sherd, a probable Shepard sherd, and 13 sherds of indeterminate type (11 are quartz tempered). The lithic assemblage included 2 projectile points/knives. One may be the corner of a well-thinned quartz triangular point. The other is broadly similar to Bare Island or Selby Bay, which date roughly to the Late Archaic/Early Woodland and Middle Woodland periods. A quartz awl and 12 bifaces (in various stages of completion) were also recovered. Other lithics include 7 cores, a rhyolite end scraper, 8 flake tools, and 82 pieces of debitage. The remaining artifacts were 189 pieces of fire-cracked rock, 5 manuports, 1 piece of unburnt bone, 6 fragments of unburnt wood, and 94 pieces of burned wood.
The most recent archeological work performed at the site related to the construction of soccer fields and associated facilities. MHT (now with a historic preservation easement) stipulated that any subsurface excavation be limited to the vegetative layer and a minimal amount more of the plowed layer. Any additional planned grading efforts would require filling. A professional archeologist was required to monitor all soil removal and regarding efforts involving the disturbance of subsurface layers. During construction of the soccer fields, mechanical excavation activities were limited to the sod layer and approximately three inches more, totaling no more than 5 inches in depth. Careful review of the exposed plowzone soils within these areas did not identify any cultural features or concentrations of artifacts. However, several isolated artifacts were recovered, including a rhyolite flake, a sandstone fragment of fire-cracked rock, a quartz bipolar core, and a fragment of undecorated white ironstone pottery.
Excavations at the Monocacy Boulevard Bridge Site (18FR750) have revealed a prehistoric occupation horizon associated with a buried A horizon (Ab horizon) stratified beneath a significant fill of alluvium deposited during the late prehistoric and early historic periods. This alluvium protected the site from historic plowing leaving it with a high degree of physical integrity. This intact cultural component was encountered across nearly the entire excavated project area. The component was characterized by a series of distinct activity areas scattered across the floodplain (but most notably in the southern portions of the site). These areas include six fire-cracked rock features and two possible prehistoric features. Activities represented in the site assemblage include lithic production, stone tool maintenance, and food production; activities indicative of short-term camps or resource procurement sites. A majority of the activity in the southern portion of the site appears to relate to Montgomery and Luray Complex occupations dating from the Late Woodland period. A feature associated with earlier (possibly Selden Island) Early Woodland occupation is set back 40 m from the riverbank. Site 18FR750 is similar in many respects to site 18FR74, a multicomponent Early and late Middle Woodland period site situated 600 m west of 18FR750 on the same landform. The geomorphological setting of the prehistoric occupations at both sites is the same; a buried A horizon extending over much of the floodplain that is capped by a thick layer of alluvium.
The Monocacy Boulevard Site (18FR750) is one of a small number of resource procurement camps known from the Early and Late Woodland periods. Such sites are poorly known. Given the unique, intact nature of the deeply buried cultural deposits at 18FR750, and the preservation of a majority of the site left untouched by construction activities, further investigation is warranted.
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