Archaeological Investigation - Shasta Ruins Stabilization

Archaeological Investigation - Shasta Ruins Stabilization

Conduct archaeological test to determine historic design of brick structures and efficacy of drain system at Shasta SHP Southside Ruins, to assist the design team on the proposed Shasta SHP Ruins Stabilization Project. Although the tops of drain arches are visible in the front and rear walls of some of the structures, many details are obscured by the soil within the buildings. Recent geotechnical and historical studies revealed relatively recent fill, including brick fragments, at depths ranging from 3 feet to more than 10 feet deep around the buildings. DPR archaeologists propose excavation of small test units and narrow trenches within or just outside the brick walls of extant structures with the following goals: - Attempt to discover/describe the historic drain systems - Characterize the contents and timing of the fill within the structures - Expose and describe the walls and footings obscured by the fill. The rear wall at Lot 12, the rear side wall of Lot 14, and the front walls of Lots 15 and 19 all exhibit construction anomalies that may be drain structures. These areas will be the focus of some of the test pits designed to observe the historic drain system design. In addition, a small number of units will be intuitively placed beside the front or side walls in Lots 9, 11, 16, and 20 to ascertain details of wall and foundation construction.

Shasta