Deep, Dirty Secrets: 2014 Archaeological Excavations at the Isaiah Davenport House, Savannah, Georgia

A professional archaeological investigation of the Isaiah Davenport House was conducted in 2014 and is documented in this report (Volumes 1 and 2). Davenport House Director Jamie Credle contacted the LAMAR Institute, who undertook the project. The immediate impetus for the archaeology was plans to change the function of the raised basement area in the Davenport House and make related alterations. The short and long term goals included gathering archaeological data in these as well as other areas, in order to provide more information about Isaiah Davenport and others who used the area.     Archaeologists formulated research questions and a research design prior to fieldwork. Archaeologists conducted limited historical research to supplement the vast amount held at the Davenport House. Field work was conducted for three days in late December, 2013, and for approximately seven days in January, 2014.The project involved the public in multiple ways. Field work included ground penetrating radar (GPR) survey of all accessible areas of Lot 13, at the corner of Habersham and State streets in Columbia Ward. The GPR survey included the areas in the garden, inside the house on the basement level, and the east and west walls of the Davenport House. Archaeologists used the GPR data they had gathered along with historical documents to select areas to excavate. Five test units were established in the garden.     Excavations located and documented a previously unknown privy predating the Sanborn Fire Insurance maps. Isiah Davenport likely had the privy built during his occupation of Lot 14 or during his ownership of Lot 13. The privy was filled with debris during the first three decades of the 1800s. Archaeologists also located an unexpected debris midden dating from circa 1740s to 1800. Part of the project included specific analyses of animal bones, parasites, starch, pollen, and phytoliths in the soils to provide an over-arching view of diet, health, and the local environment in the 18th and 19th centuries.     The project was successful in locating features, artifacts, and information related to the Davenports as well as others using the area. The interpretation of this data provides specific details about Isaiah and his family as well as a broader context for the site in the region and country. The report, information, and artifacts can help provide Davenport House staff with resources for program and exhibit development in the future. The project also provides information for property management. It makes a substantial contribution to what is unfortunately a very small body of archaeological data for the Savannah-Chatham County area, while providing an example for area historic sites.