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 #190: Lot 13, Test Cut D, Stratum 15, Level b) 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 context was excavated using shovels and trowels. Most of the soil was dry screened using 1/4 inch mesh, except for approximately one bucket which was wet screened.
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Soil
Light gray silty sand
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Munsell
Not recorded
