Phase 1B Archaeological Survey: Proposed Bennington Substation, Town of Bennington, Bennington County, Vermont

Summary

On behalf of Vermont Transco, LLC (VELCO), of Rutland, Vermont, The Louis Berger Group, Inc. (Berger), of Albany, New York, conducted a Phase IB archaeological survey for the proposed Bennington Substation, located in the Town of Bennington, Bennington County, Vermont. VELCO has determined an upgrade of the Bennington 115kV substation is required to meet the Independent System Operator of New England (ISONE) operating and reliability criteria.

Subsurface survey was conducted at 18 archaeologically sensitive areas previously identified by Berger, and 179 shovel tests were excavated across the APE. As a result of these investigations, six archaeological sites were identified and delineated and 237 artifacts (154 precontact lithic artifacts and 83 historic artifacts) were recovered in the APE. The sites consisted of two twentieth-century historical sites, three precontact sites, and one multicomponent site. When placed within the context of the handful of other small sites in similar locations along upland drainages, such as the nearby sites along Furnace Brook, Sites VT-BE-452, VT-BE-453, VT-BE-454 and VT-BE-455 could contribute to our understanding of how and why precontact people utilized this upland environment. In addition, the use of the locally available Cheshire Quartzite and a non-local dark gray chert can contribute to our understanding of precontact period lithic technological organization in the region.

It is Berger’s opinion that Sites VT-BE-452, VT-BE-453, VT-BE-454 and VT-BE-455 have yielded and/or are likely to yield information important in Vermont prehistory and are therefore eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places under Criterion D. Based on the results of the Phase I archaeological survey, it is Berger’s opinion that if Sites VT-BE-452, VT-BE-453, VT-BE-455, and VT-BE-455 are avoided during the proposed activities for this project, noted on construction plans, and fenced during construction, no additional work would be warranted throughout the project area. If these four sites cannot be avoided for this project, additional investigation may be necessary. Although the precise age of Sites VT-BE-456 and VT-BE-457 could not be determined, these sites are dated to the twentieth century based on historical research and informant interviews and supported by the concrete foundation construction methods and the few artifacts recovered. Site VT-BE-456 represents a small maple syrup sugar shack and Site VT-BE-457 was the location of a stable or horse barn. It is Berger’s opinion that these sites are not eligible for listing in the National Register and no further work is warranted.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• The Archaeology of Vermont

Keywords

Spatial Coverage

Individual & Institutional Roles

Prepared By(s): The Louis Berger Group, Inc.

Submitted To(s): Vermont Transco, LLC

Record Identifiers

Exhibit No.(s): VELCO-AM-2

File Information