Archaeological Survey, Proposed Forestry Activities, Nine Blocks in the Impact Area, Fort A. P. Hill (AP2012.001)

The Fort A.P. Hill Cultural Resource Manager, under the Environmental Division of the Directorate of Public Works within Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia, has completed Phase I reconnaissance-level archaeological survey in association with proposed forestry activities in nine forestry blocks located in the Impact Area at Fort A.P. Hill, Caroline County, Virginia. The proposed forestry activities will include one clearcut (Block IAA06CC), one pine seed tree cut (Block IAA06ST), one pine shelterwood cut (Block IAA06PW), two pine selection cuts (Blocks IAA06PS and RNG37), and four pine thinnings (Blocks IAA06TH, IAB06TH, IAC06TH, and IAD06TH). The Project Area consists of approximately 632.7 acres of forestland.

The objective of the archaeological survey was to identify any historic properties that may be located within the proposed forestry blocks and establish a buffer to protect any such sites from disturbance during the proposed forestry activities. Owing to the potential for unexploded ordnance, the investigations were limited to pedestrian surface survey. As a result of the investigations, four previously unrecorded archaeological sites (44CE0469, 44CE0470, 44CE0471, and 44CE0472) were identified and three known cemetery locations were recorded as both archaeological sites and architectural resources (Site 44CE0473/VDHR No. 016-5028, Site 44CE0474/VDHR No. 016-5029, and Site 44CE0475/VDHR No. 016-5030).

Site 44CE0469 is a late nineteenth- to early twentieth-century farmstead site, with a dry-laid brick foundation. 44CE0470 is an early twentieth-century house site, with brick pier foundations and wood frame structural remains. 44CE0471 is a late nineteenth- to early twentieth-century house site. 44CE0472 is a late nineteenth- to early twentieth-century farmstead site, with a brick foundation and old roads. None of these domestic sites are eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places under Criteria A, B, or C. Additional investigations would be necessary to determine if these sites are eligible for inclusion in the National Register under Criterion D.

Sites 44CE0473 (VDHR No. 016-5028), 44CE0474 (VDHR No. 016-5029), and 44CE0475 (VDHR No. 016-5030) are historic family cemetery sites. None of these cemeteries are eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places under Criteria A, B, or C, or under Criterion Consideration D. Additional investigations would be necessary to determine if these sites are eligible for inclusion in the National Register under Criterion D.

The boundaries of all of the identified archaeological sites will be marked and avoided during forestry activities. Based on (1) previous disturbances, (2) the planned avoidance of identified cultural resources, and (3) the limited amount of disturbance expected from the proposed forestry activities, it is anticipated that no subsurface cultural features or cultural deposits will be adversely affected by the proposed activities.

This collection contains the Archaeological Survey, Proposed Forestry Activities, Nine Blocks in the Impact Area, Fort A. P. Hill (AP2012.001) project, which includes the report, photo log and photographs.