archaeological site examination north yard of the ... - Fiske Center

VII. R ECOMMENDATIONS
The proposed rehabilitation of the North
Yard calls for seven changes to the area
(Figs. VII-1; VII-2). Each of these is listed
below along with comments regarding the
potential for subsurface disturbance that
each presents.
1) Rehabilitate perennial (parallel) beds
with rose arbors (Fig. VII-2:9).
Garden beds were found to have been present
at this location since the early to mid
nineteenth century and were even maintained
when the yard was landscaped in the
early twentieth century. The planting of
shallow-rooted rose bushes in these beds is
not likely to have an impact on the wellpreserved
buried A-horizon that is present
approximately 40 cm (16 in) below the
present ground surface as long as precautions
are taken to prevent planting below
this depth. Construction of the rose arbor,
however, will impact potentially important
sediments since support posts need to
extend below the frost line. Holes for the
new posts should be archaeologically excavated
in the form of shovel test pits to mitigate
negative affects on potentially important
archaeological deposits in this area.
2) Place a bench at the north end of the
perennial beds (Fig. VII-2:10).
No subsurface impacts are expected here.
3) Replace existing chain link fence with
new chain link (Fig. VII-2:11).
No subsurface impacts are expected here,
especially if existing posts or post locations
are used.
4) Remove overgrown vegetation from
irregular bed along Greenough Ave (Fig.
VII-2:12).
This work requires the removal of root balls
from lilacs and other shrubs. This area is
particularly sensitive since some portions of
the geometric garden bed may be located
here. One of the early nineteenth century
garden paths should pass through this area
as well. Since significant disturbance may
result from the removal of plantings, additional
archaeological testing is recommended
for this area to identify the location of
the garden path and to search for evidence
of the formal garden. Up to four 1m x 1m
excavation units are recommended for this
area.
5) Restore fruit tree plantings (Fig. VII-
2:13).
The restoration plan calls for the removal of
some existing trees and the planting of
twelve or more apple trees inside the sand
walks depicted on the 1937 HABS plan.
These activities maintain the greatest potential
to disturb archaeological deposits. It is
therefore recommended to conduct test
excavations at tree removal locations and to
excavate the holes for the new trees. This
solution will minimize the loss of potentially
important archaeological data across the
property.
6) Renovate existing lawn (Fig. VII-
2:14).
This activity will not disturb archaeologically
sensitive deposits as long as renovation
does not extended deeper than 40 cm
(16 in).
7) Replace existing wisteria arbor with a
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