Introduction: Lots 8, 9, and 15 are modern designations for adjacent parcels of land that were owned together and used as a single property until the early 1830's. Excavations produced important discoveries like that of the Colonial-era Lovelace Tavern, proving that significant archaeological resources could still exist in urban spaces. Project archaeologists were able to lobby for increased time and funds to continue their work on the strength of these finds, leading to additional discoveries. In all, the project provided considerable information about the history of New York City and its inhabitants from the 17th to the 20th centuries.
The tavern was constructed by the second English Governor of New York, Francis Lovelace, around 1670. Taverns were important spaces for colonial communities, serving as centralized meeting places that fulfilled important social, recreational, political, and economic functions. Lovelace Tavern became New York's temporary City Hall starting in the late-17th century after the Stadt Huys fell into disrepair and was demolished in 1706.
Rationale: Remains of the Lovelace Tavern were first encountered during the excavation of Test Cut AQ. Overall, archaeologists excavated 27 test cuts inside, adjacent to, or within the walls of the tavern, representing around fifty-percent of the total area. Test Cut BS was a 2- by 5-foot excavation unit placed between Test Cuts BW and BQ in the southwestern part of the Lovelace Tavern area and against the western stone wall separating Lots 7 and 8. The cut was excavated in part to see if the western wall of the Tavern was present in this area, which it was.
Results: Archaeologists discovered the disturbed remains of the western wall of the Lovelace Tavern between 10- and 24-inches below excavation surface in the western part of Test Cut BS. The tavern wall in this test cut corrseponds to that found in nearby test cuts BQ and BW. While this layer is considered disturbed, numerous 17th-century artifacts, including intriguing shapes of smoking pipes, were recovered.
Lot 8, Test Cut BS, Strata V, Level A
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Collection method
Backhoe, Pick Axe, Shovel, Trowel, Brush, Screen (1/2-inch mesh). Arbitrary Level.
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Soil description
Yellow-Brown Silt with Mortar
