Phase II Archaeological Evaluation of Site 44CE0465 Proposed 800-Meter Range, Fort A.P. Hill, Caroline County, Virginia

Site 44CE0465 was originally identified during a Phase Ia, reconnaissance-level, survey conducted in association with the construction of a proposed 800-meter range (McDonald and Clarke 2006). The current Phase II fieldwork was conducted in association with proposed improvements to an existing dirt road that cuts through the site.
The objective of the archaeological evaluation of Site 44CE0465 was to (1) determine the site’s boundary and subsurface integrity, and (2) to determine if the site is eligible for inclusion in the National Register. The investigations included pedestrian surface survey and the excavation of 33 shovel tests and four 1x1-meter test units, and resulted in the recovery of 111 artifacts, including 48 surface collected artifacts, 24 artifacts from seven shovel tests, and 39 artifacts from four test units.
Based on the results of the archaeological fieldwork, Site 44CE0465 appears to represent a prehistoric habitation site dating to the Early/Middle Woodland periods, with later historic disturbances. The site measures approximately 20x60 meters as defined by negative shovel tests and landforms. Soil profiles encountered during the archaeological evaluation indicate that the site has been extensively disturbed, with the majority of artifacts having been recovered from redeposited soils. The general soil profile consists of an Ap-horizon and disturbed A-horizon (or older Ap-horizon) overlying subsoil. The upper layers of soil have been truncated in the vicinity of the dirt road, with push piles evident over large areas of the site. There do not appear to be any intact surface soil deposits at the site, and no intact cultural deposits or cultural features were encountered at the site. Subsequently, Site 44CE0465 is recommended as not eligible for inclusion in the National Register under Criterion D (as the site is not likely to yield additional information important in history or prehistory). Criteria A, B, and C were applied to this resource type and found to be not applicable.