Phase III Archaeological Investigations on the Bull Hill Run Site 44PG316, Fort Lee (FL1989.002)

Site 44PG316 is a small multi-component prehistoric site located along Bull Hill Run in Prince George County, Virginia. Excavations identified occupations dating from the Late Archaic/Transitional through Late Woodland periods. Although natural disturbance in the form of flood scouring was noted, the site has remained unplowed and some stratigraphic separation of cultural material was present. Artifacts and floral remains recovered suggest that the exploitation of acorns and other plant foods was a major activity during most of the occupations. The excavations uncovered a large number of subsurface features. Among these features were a number of large shallow basin features interpreted as acorn leaching pits. A series of post features representing three individual structures were also uncovered. The largest of these was radiocarbon dated to the Late Woodland. A second, slightly smaller but similar house probably also dates to the Late Woodland. A third structure, consisting of an open windbreak is associated with an earlier Late Woodland occupation. Structures, particularly on smaller sites, are very rare In the archaeological record of the area. The finds are considered very significant and potentially unique for eastern Virginia. Investigations on 44PG316 provided important information concerning exploitation of local resources as well as insights into changing settlement patterns during the Woodland period.

This collection contains the Phase III Archaeological Investigations on the Bull Hill Run Site 44PG316 (FL1989.002) project. This includes the site report, an artifact catalog and results of the examination of vertebrate faunal remains with accompanying field notes and radiocarbon sample data sheets.