PIN 5002.07

Summary

This project contains archaeological reports generated as the result of PIN 5002.07.121.

1996 investigations including archaeological and architectural survey in advance of plans for proposed improvements to New York State Route 18F, and the addition of a pedestrian walkway. Records search indicated the presence of 18 prehistoric sites within 2 miles of the project area, and no structures located on properties falling within the project area had been inventoried, or were listed on the State or National Register of Historic Places. Two map documented structures were identified within the project area, and 51 principal buildings. Of those 51, 18 were older than 50 years old, of which 14 are eligible for National Registry. One prehistoric archaeological site, the Lindesay Site (SUBi-1705, NYSM #10316) was found during these surveys. Following the completion of the survey and review of the findings by the New York State Museum (NYSM) and NYSDOT, a site examination was performed on the Lindesay Site, a stratified prehistoric occupation with Early Woodland and Late Woodland components. Based on these investigations the site was recommended as eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (Appendix 1). Given the eligibility determination of the Lindesay Site and the documentation of research potential, a Data Recovery Plan (DRP) was requested by the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPR&HP) and preparation of a DRP was authorized by the NYSDOT and NYSM, which was produced in 1999 (Knapp 1999).

The 1998 addendum to the PIN 5002.07.121 added areas in the Towns of Lewiston and Porter, Niagara county. One purpose of this addendum was to determine the boundaries of the Lindesay Site, and to determine if the Data Recovery Plan would need to be modified accordingly. This project was also sponsored by the New York State Department of Transportation. The addendum examines additional historical properties not surveyed in the survey carried out during the initial survey of Lower River Road (NY 18F) between the villages of Lewiston and Youngstown in 1996. There are 65 standing structures and their associated outbuildings in the addendum project area. Eight structures are recommended as National Register eligible, and one complex is recommended as National register eligible as a district. Archaeological testing involved the excavation of shovel test pits (STPs) for the testing near the construction of the pedestrian walkway and drainage improvements along a 6.84 km (4.25 mi) stretch of NY 18F. Concentrations of prehistoric lithic material were found in undisturbed contexts in all identified sites: Lewiston I, SUBi-1844, NYSM# 10734; Stella Niagara Site, SUBi-1845, NYSM# 10735; Lewiston II Site, SUBi-1846, NYSM# 10736; Lewiston III Site, SUBi-1847, NYSM# 10737; and Lewiston IV Site, SUBi-1848, NYSM# 10738. Site examination requests were submitted for all sites in order to determine elibility for the National and State Registers of Historic Places.

The Lindesay data recovery report includes discussion of the chronology of the site, the organization of lithic technology, analyses of features, and botanicals, and inference of the functions of the site. Analyses further reinforced the initial interpretation of the site as representing both early and late woodland occupations, and that hunting, gathering, and fishing supported the groups camped there. Maize kernels and clay pots were found in layers produced during the agricultural period.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Niagara County   •
• New York State Museum and the Public Archaeology Facility, Binghamton University Archaeological Collection

Keywords

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Nina Versaggi

Sponsor(s): New York State Department of Transportation; Federal Highway Administration

Repository(s): Public Archaeology Facility, Binghamton University

Prepared By(s): Public Archaeology Facility, Binghamton University

Submitted To(s): New York State Department of Education; New York State Museum

Record Identifiers

PIN(s): 5002.07.121