Cellar Sumps and Moisture Management: 18th and 19th Century Drainage Features

Summary

During excavations conducted by Thunderbird Archeology on the waterfront in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia multiple building foundations were uncovered near the historic coastline of the port city that contained evidence of groundwater management strategies associated with their earliest occupations. The foundations’ construction dates range from between the second half of the 18th to the first half of the 19th centuries. Drainage features within these foundations include multiple styles of sumps, and drains containing differing types of fills and artifacts. This discussion analyzes and compares the drainage strategies and contents of these features, in addition to similar features found at other sites, with the aim of identifying any trends that may exist within this feature type.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Archaeology And The Urban Landscape   •
• Society for Historical Archaeology 2018

Keywords

Spatial Coverage

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Society for Historical Archaeology

Record Identifiers

PaperId(s): 906