CHARCOAL IDENTIFICATION AND AMS RADIOCARBON DATING OF A SAMPLE FROM THE CARRIAGE TURNAROUND AT THOMAS JEFFERSON’S POPLAR FOREST, BEDFORD COUNTY, VIRGINIA

Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest is located near the city of Lynchburg in Bedford County, Virginia. Jefferson began construction of his private retreat house in 1806, finishing the octagonal portion of the house in 1809. The house is situated on the top of the hill and is surrounded by an ornamental landscape that was designed and planted by Jefferson. The current archaeological investigation within a carriage turnaround on the north side of the house is part of the landscape restoration (Jack Gary, personal communication June 23, 2014). A single charcoal sample, collected from the center of the carriage turnaround, was submitted for identification and AMS radiocarbon age determination. A significant prehistoric occupation also is noted at this site.