2013-100 Planning - Legacy Research Associates for Archaeological Study $7,000

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Phase 2 Archaeological Investigations at Site 12 -Buckhorn-Mebane EED Phase 2 The next level of investigation following the identification of an archaeological site during a field survey and finding it to be potentially eligible for the National Register of Historic Places is archaeological testing (Phase 2). Testing involves excavating additional shovel tests at closer intervals to better define the structure of the site and the excavation of several larger (minimum of 3 feet by 3 feet) test units to determine the site stratigraphy, to gather additional artifacts for dating and functional analysis, and to determine the site's state of preservation. The goal of Phase 2 testing is to determine a site's eligibility for the NRHP (either eligible or ineligible) and not to exhaust the research potential of a site. Conditions required for Phase 2 investigations: 1. Marking or flagging of the final alignment (Sheet No. W2.6) to ensure that the investigations are conducted within the project area of potential effects. 2. Continued permission from the property owner to access the site area by using the newly graded road. 3. Since Site 12 is located in an area with thick secondary growth, more intensive investigations would require permission to clear vegetation from large areas (10 ft by 10 ft) near each test unit in order to have access to excavation areas and to have sufficient clearance to conduct the excavation. Some clearing may be required on private property that lies outside the limits of disturbance to provide access to the area of investigation. Phase 3 Mitigation at Site 12- Buckhorn-Mebane EED Phase 2 If Phase 2 investigations at Site 12 determined that it is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places, then a recommendation for mitigation (Phase 3) could include one or more of the following: 1. Traditional Mitigation: excavation of additional test units (data recovery) to recover sufficient data to address relevant archaeological research questions. 2. Creative Mitigation: suggested options follow. L Monitoring Construction requires the presence of an on-site archaeologist during the earth-moving portions of a project. Monitoring involves close scrutiny of newly exposed soils in order to identify significant cultural resources. The archaeological monitor keeps detailed field notes and takes photographs throughout the earth-moving activities. If the archaeologist detects artifacts or archaeological features that may be significant, he or she stops work in the area until documentation is complete. ii. Specialized Analysis of Cultural Material requires analysis of recovered artifacts to specialist researchers, such as a University-based Archaeological Research Laboratory with experience and equipment for analyzing prehistoric tool technologies of the Eastern Woodlands including microscopic analysis that identifies traces of wear on the edge of a stone tool that are often distinctive hints to the actual use of the tool. iii. Educational Outreach requires publication and dissemination of the cultural resource management work for the project that would illustrate Orange County's responsibilities and underscore its commitment to the preservation of cultural resources. It would also serve as an information tool for cultural resource professionals and the public to showcase Orange County's dedication to protecting cultural resources. Educational outreach would become a component of Orange County's website and would also be distributed in digital format to local schools, senior centers, libraries, historical societies, and professional and civic groups.