2001 S Purchasing Contract with Legacy Research Associates, Inc. (Archaeological Survey of Little River Park)

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The background research will begin with a review of the state archaeological files at the North Carolina OSA to gather detailed information on the archaeological sites previously recorded in or adjacent to the study area. Preliminary examination of OSA files indicates that there are four previously recorded sites in the project area. These sites were recorded by Legacy in 1999 as part of the Phase 1 archaeological assessment of property being considered for development as a landfill. In general, however, the project is located in a portion of Orange and Durham counties that has not received intensive archaeological investigation. Any sites uncovered through this survey will add important information to our knowledge of the prehistory and history of the region. Based on previous work in the region we expect that most of the prehistoric sites will be located on ridges within approximately 1 km of main drainage channels as well as on ridge toes near the head of ephemeral tributaries (Joy and Becker 1999). The background research will also include examination of historic documents and maps to gather data on other potential site locations. Examples of relevant documents to be examined include early twentieth- century maps of the area (e.g., USGS 1904 -05), which depict house sites; general histories of Orange and Durham counties, and other studies of the environment, prehistory, and history of the area. Many of these resources are familiar to Legacy researchers through previous area projects (e.g., Joy and Becker 1999; Stine and Hargrove 1999). Another aspect of the Background Research will include consultation with OSA staff and others archaeologists and individuals knowledgeable concerning the project area. The Legacy staff is familiar with the South Lowell community and its historical importance to northern Durham and Orange counties. The history of that community will provide an important context for interpreting potential historic sites in the survey area. Dr. Stine witnessed some of the 1980 renovations of the circa 1853 McMannen House, located just southeast of the project area. At that time some stone foundations believed to be associated with the nineteenth - century South Lowell Academy were visible (see also Anderson 1990:82 -84). Dr. Stine has also visited one of the mill sites listed in the proposal. These sites may prove to be part of John B. Leather's nineteenth - century mill that was later purchased by Mr. McMannen, and renamed South Lowell Mill. This mill apparently manufactured specialized grain milling machines (Anderson 1990:82). Legacy researchers are familiar with mill research (e.g., Joy et. al. 2000) and look forward to investigating the survey area's mill sites as part of this study. Task 2: Fieldwork The following field methods will be used during the survey. These consist of pedestrian or walkover and surface survey complimented by subsurface inspection as appropriate for. the local topography and ground cover described further below. Walkover. Those parts of the survey area that exhibit over 15 percent slope will be investigated through walkover survey. Surface Survey. Surface survey consists of systematically examining bare ground to determine if artifacts or surface traces indicative of an archaeological site are present. Past experience has indicated that surface survey is effective only in situations where 50% m