Long Barrack Archaeology Update - February 23

February 23, 2024

Four excavation units were active during the week of February 19. Archaeologists continued to work in EUs 2B, 6, 10, and 12.

Within EU-2B archaeologists excavated to an approximate depth of 80 cm below surface. During excavations archaeologists were able to further delineate the limestone feature initially encountered in EU-3. The feature does appear to extend to the south, but was impacted by the installation of a utility conduit as noted last week. The alignment may have been an informal wall installed by the US Army in the latter half of the 1800s. The alignment is comprised of stacked limestone and mortar, however there is not a formal footer or foundation.

Archaeologists in EU-6 reached approximately 130 cm below surface, which was within a sterile silty clay.

The maximum depth reached in EU-10 was approximately 50 cm below surface. The maximum depth reached in EU-12 was approximately 70 cm below surface. Excavations within both units revealed two distinct deposits. There is a dark, sticky clay in the western half of the units and a silty loam in the eastern half. When examining the north and south profiles of the units, it appears the dark clay is the result of a builders’ trench cut along the Long Barrack wall. There were few artifacts coming out from this deposit. The deposit in the eastern half of the unit contains a much higher density of artifacts, such as ceramics, glass, and metal, as well as medium-sized limestone cobbles. Pieces of mortar with adhered plaster were also recovered from EU-12. Archaeologists in both units noted the stones of the Long Barrack were moist and exhibited damage from roots.

Preservation Updates

Long Barrack Archaeology Update - February 23

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