Phase III Archaeological Data Recovery of Sites 9CH1066 and 9CH1067 within the Benjamin Van Clark Park Neighborhood, Savannah, Georgia

In September 2005, TRC conducted Phase III archaeological data recoveries on two sites within the Benjamin Van Clark Park neighborhood of Savannah, Georgia. The excavations were completed in order to mitigate the potential adverse effects associated with the development planned as part of the HOPE VI program. The work was done on behalf of the Housing Authority of Savannah (HAS).

Previous Phase I and Phase II archaeological investigations indicated that sites 9CHI 066 and 9CHI 067 contained intact cultural deposits associated with occupations that occurred during the second half of the nineteenth century and into the late nineteenth/early twentieth century. These sites were recommended eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) under Criterion D for their potential to yield important archaeological information concerning historical developments in post-bellum Savannah.

Data recovery excavations took place at sites 9CH1066 and 9CH1067. At 9CH1066, 20 shovel tests were excavated in a 5-m grid pattern across the site. All 20 shovel tests were positive for cultural material. A backhoe was used to strip an approximately 20 x 20-m area at 9CHI 066. Eight features were uncovered from this site, including four wall trenches, one wall collapse, two spoil pits and one possible chimney base. In addition to the excavation of the features, two 1 x 1-m units were excavated. As a result of these excavations 900 artifacts were recovered.

Shovel tests were excavated in a 5-m grid pattern across site 9CH1067. Of the 156 shovel tests excavated at the site, 107 were positive for historic artifacts. Site 9CHI 067 was divided into a western half (9CH1067a) and an eastern half (9CH1067b) in order to facilitate the excavations. Backhoe stripping at 9CH1067a revealed the presence of 14 architectural features, including 12 brick piers, one post, and one possible chimney base/porch foundation. In addition to the house features, two shell-filled pits were encountered.

Shovel test excavations at 9CH1067b revealed the presence of one brick feature and one pocket of oyster shell as well as a relatively dense concentration of artifacts in the southeastern comer of the site. Backhoe stripping in this area revealed the presence of seven architectural features including six brick piers and one possible porch foundation. Artifact analysis indicates a continuous occupation of the site that dates from the late nineteenth to the mid-to-late twentieth centuries.

Analysis of the recovered artifacts from both sites indicate a mid nineteenth-century component as well as a continuous occupation dating from the late nineteenth century to the late twentieth century. Most of the information on the sites dates from after the subdivision was defined, in the late nineteenth century. Historical data indicate the neighborhood that developed was occupied by working-class residents, primarily identified as African Americans.