Whites Trace Branch: Archaeological 1 Meter Test Pit #2, Level 1

Object/Artifact

-

West Virginia Mine Wars Museum

Name/Title

Whites Trace Branch: Archaeological 1 Meter Test Pit #2, Level 1

Entry/Object ID

WTB3.1MTP.02.L1

Description

Contents from archaeological 1 Meter Test Pit at Whites Trace Branch Site #3 on 11/8 and 11/9/2009, these items were found on Level 1 of Test Pit #2. This collection spans two bags (in different trays of Blair Box #4) and includes: one (1) heavily corroded bolt or fastener six (6) more various iron hardware + multiple trace pieces of likely-related rusted metal twelve (12) ceramic shards, representing at least four vessels, one of which is stoneware one (1) specimen of bituminous coal twenty-nine (29) shards of glass, representing at least three types one (1) washer one (1) metal button (identical to Special Find #19 - WTB3.1MTP.SF.019) one (1) unidentified mechanical part three (3) unidentified materials, two similar, one metal

Context

A shovel test pit (STP) is a standard method for Phase I of an archaeological survey. It designates a series of test holes, usually dug out by a shovel (hence the name) in order to determine whether the soil contains any cultural remains that are not visible on the surface. The soil is sifted or screened through wire mesh to recover the artifacts. STPs will often be laid out over the project area in a grid-like fashion or in a consistently spaced line, creating a fairly systematic survey. Therefore, after the holes have been dug, one may map artifact densities over the project area, pinpointing the locations of possible sites where further investigation may be necessary.

Collection

Blair Mountain Archaeology

Parts

Count

56

Material

Ceramic, Iron, Steel, Glass

Relationships

Related Person or Organization

Person or Organization

Blair Mountain Archaeology Group

Related Places

Place

Location

Blair Area: Whites Trace Branch

Region

Blair Mountain Battlefield, Southeast, Blair Area

Continent

North America

Related Events

Event

Battle of Blair Mountain (1921)

Related Entries

Notes

metal button is identical to Special Find #19 (WTB3.1MTP.SF.019)

Provenance

Provenance Detail

Archaeological Find

Notes

11/8 and 11/9/2009