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 BJ was a 3- by 5-foot unit placed within the interior of the 17th/18th century Lovelace Tavern. Notably, a Tavern deposit with the remnants of the wooden floor and Feature 15, a 17th-century posthole, were found during excavation. Intact archaeological deposits were mostly found in the eastern part of the test cut and not in the west, as that part had been impacted by the construction of the Lot 8/9 boundary wall in the 19th century.
Results: An intact Lovelace Tavern deposit containing remnants of its wooden floor was found in Test Cut BJ's eastern half to a depth of 14-inches below excavation surface. Many 17th-century artifacts were found, including whole or nearly whole and mendable glass and ceramic vessels, smoking pipe fragments, and musketballs. The artifact assemblage in this layer could be of great analytical value as it contains an abundance of materials related to the tavern's use.
Lot 9, Test Cut BJ, Strata III, Level C
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Collection method
Trowel, Screen (1/4-inch mesh). Arbitrary 4-inch Level.
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Soil description
Gray Green Silty Sand with Wood
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Munsell
5Y 5/4 - 5Y 4/4
