Lot 12, Test Cut F, Landfill: Coarse Sand Between Wood Stains #2 and #3, and #3 and #4 (624.168)

(17th Century)

This context (Catalog #168: Lot 12, Test Cut F, Stratum 17, Level c) consists of artifacts found in a light brown coarse sand between three wood stains (#2 and #3, and #3 and #4). This context is one of many landfill deposits excavated from Test Cut F in the rear portion of Lot 12. Test Cut F was placed on the site according to the sampling plan for testing the landfill deposits. 

The landfill deposits began at approximately 27 to 28 inches below the ground surface of Test Cut F and represent 17th-century landfill. These deposits consist of numerous strata and lenses of various soil types. Between a depth of 54 to 68 inches, the excavators encountered a series of four wood stains that covered most of the square with traces of additional wood stains in the south profile. The soil between the first two wood stains was described as a tan-gray silty sand and was excavated as Stratum 16. The soil between the second and third and the third and fourth wood stains consisted of a light brown coarse sand with shell and orange staining. This deposit was excavated as Stratum 17 and is represented in this context. Additional levels of landfill were excavated beneath these strata to a depth of 81 inches below ground surface with river bottom deposits found beneath the landfill deposits.

For more information about the deposits associated with Lot 12, please read pages 155 to 191 of the 7 Hanover Square site report.

  • Collection method

    Excavated this context using trowels. All soil was dry-screened using 1/4 inch mesh.

  • Soil description

    Grayish brown sandy silt with orange (leached) sand

  • Munsell

    Not recorded

7 Hanover Square

Manhattan, 7 Hanover Square

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