SECTION 106 COMPLIANCE

Archeological monitoring for construction of the central chilled water plant at Independence National Historical Park revealed two wells and a cistern. Data recovery from these features, necessitated by their placement precisely on the locations of a pile foundation designed expressly to minimize impact to potential archeological resources, produced a abundance of materials especially faunal and botanical remains unique to the city s archeological record. The well also contained evidence of military activities including artifacts associated with the British troops garrisoning Philadelphia in the winter of 1777-78 and provide an excellent comparison with remains of the Continental Army from Valley Forge and other sites. The Eastern Applied Archeology Center of Denver Service Center has coordinated project design and provided field supervision including the ongoing analysis of these materials by John Milner Associates.

The Pate House at Colonial National Historical Park is being considered for adaptive reuse as a restaurant requiring waterproofing of the basement and disturbance of a portion of the backyard. The survey of the back yard and the testing around the house s foundation, conducted by Colonial Williamsburg's Department of Archaeological Research, uncovered a previously unidentified historic site (44Y0755). Tests at the northern end of the property, revealed the presence of a late eighteenth-century shell midden feature. In and around the house, testing revealed deep stratigraphy representing the early eighteenth through the twentieth centuries, but no builder's trench. In view of the site s historical significance, high research potential, and excellent preservation, the site is considered eligible for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places.