Phase II Archaeological Investigations of the World War I Defensive Earthworks at the Fort Lee Military Reservation and Petersburg National Battlefield, Prince George County, Virginia

Gray & Pape, Inc. undertook Phase II archaeological investigations to identify extant World War I earthworks at Fort Lee, Virginia and on adjacent properties at the Petersburg National Battlefield. The work was conducted on behalf of REMSA. Inc. of Hampton, Virginia as part of an indefinite delivery contract to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Norfolk Area Office.
These investigations were composed of historical background research and archaeological survey. Various military documents were reviewed to determine the nature and extent of the trenchworks that were constructed as part of a military training exercise in 1918. Although historic records indicated the rationale for such constructions, they were not specific about the location or types of earthworks that were clearly visible on the land. Subsequent archaeological investigations took the form of surface reconnaissance surveys across both facilities. Following the observations of previous archaeological survey at Fort Lee. Gray & Pape archaeologists determined that the majority of extant earthworks were located cast of the facility at the "mouth" of the horseshoe pattern of roads that traverse the property. Using the Existing Conditions Map of Fort Lee, archaeologists identified earthworks in twelve or thirty-two grids. A similar albeit smaller network of trenches was located to the west on the Petersburg National Battlefield and confirms the military possession of the land prior to Its purchase by the National Park Service.
As a result of survey. over 35.300 linear feet of earthworks were identified. The entire network of trench works and associated features is determined to be a significant cultural resource. Accordingly, Gray & Pape recommends that the structure be determined eligible to the National Register of Historic Places under Criteria A, C, and D.