Phase I Archaeological Survey of the Hanover Lake Dam Project Area, Fort Dix, Burlington County, New Jersey, and Supplemental Phase I and Phase II Archaeological Investigations at the Hanover Lake Dam Project Area, Fort Dix, Burlington County, New Jersey

Summary

On behalf of the U.S. Army, the AMEC, Inc. contracted Kise Straw & Kolodner, Inc. (KSK), Inc. to complete a Phase I and Phase II cultural resources surveys within the area of potential effects (APE) for the proposed renovations of Hanover Lake Dam and lead contaminated soil removal at Fort Dix, Pemberton Township, Burlington County. Three areas within the APE are adjacent to the western shore of Hanover Lake and the Hanover Furnace NRHP-listed historic property. This study was completed in accordance with Section 106 of NHPA and NJHPO guidelines for archaeological survey.

Completed between May 9 and 16 2001, Phase I field investigations included pedestrian survey and subsurface testing in three areas: Area 1, a 2.5-acre soil remediation area south of the dam spillway and along the south bank of Gaunt’s Brook; Area 2, the 0.23-acre dam renovation area on the north bank of Gaunt’s Brook; Area 3, a 0.08-acre soil remediation area north of Gaunt’s Brook and west of Area 2. The survey completed 47, 18-inch diameter shovel tests arrayed in staggered 50-foot interval transects, 3 judgmentally positioned shovel tests, and 5, 3-foot by 3-foot test units.

The survey recovered 624 historic artifacts. In Area 1, 459 domestic and architectural artifacts with a mean ceramic date of 1809 represent occupation of the area by furnace workers’ quarters. No cultural features were identified in association with artifact deposits, which were interpreted as a peripheral deposit associated with an outlying area of the workers’ quarters.

In Area 2, 165 industrial, architectural and domestic artifacts with a mean ceramic date of 1872 represent the furnace and associated industrial activities. The survey identified two cultural features in Area 2. Feature 1, a series of non-conjoined wooden planks and associated metal pipe, was interpreted as an elevated walkway through wetlands adjacent to Gaunt’s Brook. Feature 2, a 3-foot wide and 4-foot high brick structure of indeterminate function.

Completed between September 16 and October 4, 2002, supplemental Phase I and Phase II field investigations included pedestrian reconnaissance and additional subsurface testing in Area 1 (28BU513/Hanover Furnace Workers’ Housing) and Area 2 (28BU514/Hanover Furnace Industrial Area). The survey completed 55, 18-inch diameter shovel tests arrayed in staggered 25-foot interval transects positioned between Phase I transects, 7 radial shovel tests at 10-foot intervals, and 19, 3-foot by 3-foot test units.

Supplemental Phase I survey recovered 299 historic artifacts and 1 prehistoric artifact in Area 1 and 27 historic artifacts in Area 2. In Area 2, the northernmost shovel test exposed a soil stratum characterized as 50 percent charcoal, that extended at least 3 feet below ground surface.

Phase II survey recovered 2,259 historic and 1 prehistoric artifact in 19 test units and identified 8 cultural features. In Area 1, 1,663 domestic and architectural artifacts and identified four features interpreted as postmolds, a foundation wall, and a pit feature. In Area 2, 597 industrial, architectural and domestic artifacts and identified features interpreted as builder’s trenches, a slag concentration, and a brick demolished brick wall or structure.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Fort Dix Archaeology and Cultural Resources Archive   •
• Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Archaeology and Cultural Resources Archive

Keywords

Temporal Coverage

Calendar Date: 1792 to 1864 (Period of Significance)

Spatial Coverage

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Air Force Base

Contributor(s): Thomas A. Crist

Field Director(s): Richard L. White; Kimberly Morrell

Lab Director(s): Sharla Azizi

Principal Investigator(s): Douglas B. Mooney

Project Director(s): Petar D. Glumac

Prepared By(s): Kise Straw & Kolodner

Submitted To(s): AMEC

File Information