Ye Pleasant Mount: 1989 1990 Excavations - Open site which ...

Manuscript Library, University of Georgia Libraries; Georgia State Archives, Atlanta; and
Hvidt (1980).
Field MethOds
Fieldwork for the 1989 season began on March 1 with a two-person crew and was
completed on March 13. The crew was assisted by four volunteers during the excavation
phase--Richard Kessler, Martha Kessler, Laura Kessler, and Mark Kessler. A total of 26
person-days were expended in completing the fieldwork.
A total of 103 shovel tests were excavated along a 20 m interval grid. Grid North for
the shovel test survey was established 45 degrees west of Magnetic North. These shovel
test locations were located by pacing using a hand compass. All shovel tests were
excavated to a minimum depth of40 cm below ground surface (BS). The entire contents of
each shovel test were screened through 1/4 inch hardware mesh. The maximum depth of
artifacts and soil stratigraphy were noted for each test. A plan map showing the
approximate location of each shovel test was constructed in the field. The survey began
with excellent ground visibility, but near the end of the project budding leaves hampered
visibility. In addition, rain and sleet plagued the project, and shovel test artifacts were
washed and analyzed during inclement weather outages.
One shovel test was placed in a rich eighteenth-century midden and test excavations
focused on this area known as Trader Point. A new grid was established on Trader Point
using Magnetic North as Grid North. Initially six contiguous 1 m xl m test excavations
were placed within this midden area, and each test was excavated in 10 cm vertical
increments following removal of the plow-disturbed soil zone. All soil from these
excavations was screened through 1/4 inch hardware mesh. Soil samples were taken from
each stratigraphic zone for fme screen analysis. Field records were maintained for each
level of excavation. Representative soil profl1es were mapped and photographed for each
test unit. Selected levels were plan mapped, and distinct features were identified. Features
were excavated and recorded separately from the midden fill. Excavation methods were
consistent with the general excavation plan. All excavations were backfilled upon
completion.
The second field season was conducted by a two-person crew from May 21 to June I,
1990. During this time, an additional 17m2 was excavated at Trader Point. Field methods
employed during the second season were consistent with those used during the first season
with the exception that all brick, daub, and mortar was recovered and quantified during the
second season. The numbering system for test units and features followed consecutively
from the previous season.
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