Phase 1 Cultural Resources Survey of the Proposed Pennsylvania Route 166 Bridge Over Georges Creek, Nicholson Township, Fayette County, Pennsylvania

This report contains the results of a Phase I Cultural Resources Survey of an area which will be disturbed by the construction of the Pennsylvania Route 166 bridge replacement located in the community of New Geneva, Fayette County, Pennsylvania.
Previous cultural resources work conducted in the project area associated with the proposed construction of the Gray’s Landing Lock and Dam by GAI Consultants, Inc., Monroeville, Pennsylvania, also confirmed that archaeological remains associated with the New Geneva Pottery works (36FA91) were situated adjacent to the current project area. Five 1 X 1 meter test units were excavated by NPW within the project locus. One of the units contained thousands of salt glazed stoneware sherds, kiln furniture, and brick revealing that a portion of the locus along the terrace of Georges Creek was used to dump kiln waste during the third quarter of the 19th century. The study revealed that the limits of Site 36FA91 actually extend beyond its originally defined site boundaries. In addition, the deposits appear to be stratigraphically segregated and undisturbed and may actually be a part of a large feature associated with a series of dumping episodes during a period of time when the New Geneva Potteries were in operation.
Therefore, based on the results of the study, it is recommended that the portion of the site situated within the project boundaries be subjected to Phase II Archaeological Testing to determine its physical limits, integrity, and whether or not the site is culturally significant and is eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places.