Remedial Archaeology Investigations at Sites 44PG179 and 44PG243, Fort Lee, Virginia

Archaeological investigations were conducted at two previously recorded sites at Fort Lee (44PG179 and 44PG243) by MAAR Associates, Inc. (MAI) for the Norfolk District of the Army Corps of Engineers. The investigations were performed as a result of surface disturbances from unauthorized heavy equipment activity in order to determine if these disturbances impacted any potential cultural resources. Other than the initial inventory survey, site 44PG243 has never been subjected to archaeological investigations. Site 44PG179, however, was investigated further and was determined to contain potentially significant archaeological data. Archaeological and archival research determined that 44PG179 was occupied prehistorically during the Archaic period and historically during the Colonial period. Results of the present investigation indicated that a number of impacts have affected these sites. The southern and eastern portions of 44PG179 have been severely disturbed over time, primarily from road usage; the historic component of 44PG243 is actually redeposited fill containing artifacts from a historic site located elsewhere, possibly from site 44PG176 located to the south. Recommendations include changing the status of site 44PG243 and adjusting the site boundaries of 44PG179.