Report of the Archaeological Investigations of the New Castle Court ...

Abstract
Acknowledgements
List of Tables
List of Figures
List of Plates
NEW CASTLE COURT HOUSE PLAZA
NEW CASTLE, DELAWARE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 INTRODUCTION...............................................................................................................1
1.1 Background ............................................................................................................1
1.2 Historical and Architectural Background...............................................................1
1.3 Description of Project Area....................................................................................4
1.4 Previous Archeological Investigations...................................................................4
1.4.1 1950’s Restoration of the Court House .....................................................7
1.4.2 Sheriff’s Yard Excavations (1976, 1981-82).............................................7
1.4.3 Plaza Excavations in 1995.........................................................................8
2.0 FIELD INVESTIGATIONS..............................................................................................10
2.1 Introduction ..........................................................................................................10
2.2 Field Methods.......................................................................................................10
2.3 Laboratory Methods .............................................................................................14
2.4 Faunal Methods ....................................................................................................17
3.0 FIELD RESULTS .............................................................................................................18
3.1 Circa 1820 East Plaza Stratigraphic Units............................................................18
3.1.1 Organic Accumulation (SU A)................................................................21
3.1.2 Upper Sand Deposit (SU B) ....................................................................22
3.1.3 Upper Silt Loam Deposit (SU C) ............................................................22
3.1.4 Lower Sand Deposit (SU D) ...................................................................22
3.1.5 Lower Silt Loam Deposit – Feature 19 (SU E) .......................................23
3.1.6 Alluvium 9SU F).....................................................................................23
3.1.7 Subsoil – Horizon (SU G) ......................................................................23
3.2 Circa 1820 West Plaza Stratigraphic Units ..........................................................23
3.2.1 Organic Accumulation (SU H)................................................................26
3.2.2 Sand Deposit (SU I) ................................................................................26
3.2.3 Silt Loam Deposit (SU J) ........................................................................27
3.2.4 Subsoil – B Horizon (SU K) ...................................................................27
3.3 1845 Plaza Stratigraphic Units.............................................................................27
3.3.1 Organic Accumulation (SU L) ................................................................29
3.3.2 Sand Deposit (SU M) ..............................................................................29
3.3.3 Upper Transition Level (SU N)...............................................................29
3.3.4 Brick and Mortar Demolition Level (SU O) ...........................................29
3.3.5 Lower Transition Level (SU P)...............................................................30
3.3.6 Buried Topsoil – Ap Horizon (SU Q) .....................................................30
3.3.7 Subsoil – B Horizon (SU R)....................................................................30
3.4 Plaza Elevations ...................................................................................................30
3.5 Identified Features................................................................................................31
3.5.1 Brick Drain.............................................................................................36
3.5.2 Brick Foundation.....................................................................................37
3.5.3 Builder’s Trench Associated with the 1845 Addition .............................37