Archaeological Field Survey and Site Interpretation

Principles of Archaeological Survey and Ground Reconnaissance

• Archeological survey, or ground reconnaissance, is not an attempt to write an essay on findings but rather an empirical search for physical evidence on the surface of the ground.
• The primary goal is to observe objects and structures in the ground and use those physical remains to interpret historical activities and context.
• The process involves identifying human-made objects, ranging from large structures to small artifacts, and assembling these pieces like a puzzle to determine dimensions, build dates, and functions.

Inventory of Human-Made Features and Artifacts

• Walls and Foundations:     * Multiple walls were identified, including a small wall and several others in the vicinity.     * The wall structure exhibits a straight trajectory that eventually makes a right-angle turn and then curves.     * Cinder blocks were used for construction, particularly in the retaining walls.
• Infrastructural Components:     * Pipes: An "important pipe" was identified (noted by the speaker as the "salt party wrestlers" pipe).     * Sprinkler: Evidence of a sprinkler system was found.     * Electrical and Water: The site was equipped with both running water and electricity.
• Platforms and Structural Supports:     * Platform 1: A platform approximately $1\, \text{yard} \times 1\, \text{yard}$ in size.     * The platform contains metal components and rebar ($\text{iron support beams}$).     * Rebar was identified as a tool used for wall support, specifically intended to protect the structure from environmental stressors like earthquakes.     * Platform 2: Another platform was located in the corner of the site.     * Support for an electrical panel was identified near the cinder blocks.
• Portions of the Building Exterior/Interior:     * Stairs: A staircase with evidence of rails was found. Rail attachment points are visible at both the top and the bottom.     * Tiles: Evidence suggesting tiles would have covered the entire area.     * Surface Texture: The platform surface is smooth with some black material and scratches.
• Artifacts and Small Finds:     * Pottery: Examples include glazed pottery from Guatemala found in two different colors.     * Tree Markers: Small markers used by the park system to identify trees.

Site Interpretation: Structure, Height, and Function

• Height and Stories:     * Initial guesses on height included $8\, \text{feet}$ or $9\, \text{feet}$, suggesting a single-story structure.     * The speaker clarified that the site was actually an open-air facility with no roof and no enclosed stories.     * Evidence for this is found in the rebar, which only extends as high as a single cinder block in certain areas, acting as an edge or curb rather than a full wall support for a multi-story building.
• Structural Modification of the Landscape:     * The site utilizes retaining walls to manage the slope of the hill.     * A lower retaining wall was built to prevent the soil from collapsing after the hillside was "chopped out."     * The wall was built up until it reached level ground, with the cinder blocks stopping at that level.
• Potential Functions:     * The presence of electricity, water, tile, stairs, and lighting suggests a community-oriented space.     * The site likely served as a visitor center, a restroom facility for hikers, or an open community area with picnic benches and lighting.     * It is compared to a restaurant or community center found in modern parks.

Chronology and Dating Evidence

• Mapping Evidence:     * The structure appears on a topographic map from $1955$.     * The structure is absent from a topographic map dated $1930$.
• Dating Guess Comparison:     * Audience guesses for the year of construction included $1710$, $1875$, $1880$, $1882$, $1891$, $1900$, $1920$, $1960$, and $1998$.
• Concrete Chronological Evidence:     * A specific date is carved into the foundation of one of the concrete/cinder block retaining walls.     * The incision is smooth, indicating it was drawn while the cement was still wet, rather than chiseled later.     * The carved date is: $\text{December } 25, 1951$.

Biological and Environmental Context

• Vegetation: Nearly all trees currently at the site grew after the building was abandoned.
• Site Abandonment: The structure has been completely abandoned or ransacked, allowing the surrounding forest to reclaim the area since the early $1950$s.

Geographic Context and Anecdotal History of Brent's Mountain

• Mount Brent (Brent's Mountain):     * Visible from the site with a cross on its peak.     * Distance is approximately $1\, \text{mile}$ to $1.5\, \text{miles}$ away (represented as roughly $3\, \text{inches}$ on the map).
• Exploration Anecdote of Brent's Mountain:     * The speaker attempted to climb the mountain multiple times.     * Initial attempts via the Backbone Trail proved difficult, with one hike lasting $8\, \text{miles}$ only to end up farther from the peak.     * A successful attempt involved parking and hiking starting at $5:00\, \text{AM}$ or $6:00\, \text{AM}$, passing a water reclamation plant and climbing the sheer side.     * The descent had to be done in total darkness between $9:00\, \text{PM}$ and $10:00\, \text{PM}$ using a method called "crabbing" (moving on one's buttocks down a steep slope).     * The mountain's base is actually accessible via a road near a Boy Scout camp.

Questions & Discussion

• Question on Height: Who has an answer? Who wants to guess how tall the structure was?
• Response: Audience members guessed $8\, \text{feet}$ or $9\, \text{feet}$, which the speaker noted was better than most groups who guess two or three stories, though the site was actually open-air.
• Question on Dating: What year do you think this would have been?
• Response: Guesses ranged from $1710$ to $1998$. The speaker confirmed the actual year was $1951$, noting that the person who guessed $1960$ was the closest.
• Question on Cinder Blocks: What do you think this is for (referring to the s-shaped structure)?
• Response: Suggestions included support or foundation support; the speaker clarified it likely supported an electrical panel.
• Question on Rebar: What is that piece of metal coming up called? Why do you need rebar?
• Response: Identified as rebar, used for wall support to protect structures from earthquakes.
• Question on Retaining Walls: Who asked about this being a retaining wall?
• Response: The speaker confirmed it is a retaining wall used to modify the sill and support the slope.