Section 106 Contributions to Urban Archaeology: What Was Lost is Now Found

Summary

When improvements were proposed for the Whitehurst Freeway in Washington, DC, existing conditions would not have recommended this heavily urbanized project area for a research-oriented archaeological investigation. The area was traversed by elevated freeway ramps and major roadways. As well, it had been the site of a 20th century school and 19th and 20th century industrial use.  Yet, because of Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, archaeological investigations led to the discovery of a multicomponent site, which was, arguably, one of the most important sites discovered in Washington, DC.  The site contained intact prehistoric and historical archaeological remains, including an 18th and 19th century domestic and industrial sites and prehistoric remains including a late Middle Woodland cremation burial, which was one of the only intact examples of such a feature. Without the NHPA, this important information would have likely remained undiscovered, or worse, been obliterated through highway construction.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• The National Historic Preservation Act at 50: Looking Back, Looking Forward   •
• Society for Historical Archaeology 2016

Keywords

Spatial Coverage

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Society for Historical Archaeology

Record Identifiers

PaperId(s): 122