This deposit is a sub-landfill deposit located beneath the 17th-century landfill in the southern portion of Lot 13. These deposits were most likely the result of river bottom silting. According to the site report, it is thought that the area was once marshy, accounting for the build-up of two and a half feet of deposits and their high organic content. By the 17th century, the marsh was probably covered by the river and the cultural materials in it were likely thrown into the river from the shore or from boats and settled into the silt.
This context (Catalog #1013: Lot 13, Test Cut W, Stratum 22, Level a) is one of the multiple sub-landfill deposits excavated at the base of the red sand. A more detailed description of the sub-landfill deposits can be found on pages 224-228 of the 7 Hanover Square site report.
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Collection method
This level was excavated using shovels. The soil was not screened.
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Soil description
Dark red brown silt clay with black inclusions
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Munsell
Not recorded
