| During the 2002 fieldwork,
shovel tests (represented by black dots) on this city-owned property had
yielded hints of an early colonial presence. To further explore this possibility,
we excavated Test Unit 1 in the southeast corner of the middle lot. Distinctive
locally made tobacco pipes in this unit confirmed our expectations of 17th
century occupation. With the help of students from Rocky Mount Preparatory
School, we opened another five test units in the southeastern lot. This
productive session of volunteer digging revealed relatively undisturbed
soil layers, with artifacts generally increasing in age with depth. |
