Feature Numbers

The original excavators of the Building n site did not assign numbers to individual features. DAACS staff has assigned feature numbers using the original excavation records. Feature Numbers assigned by DAACS have a F-prefix, which precedes the number (i.e. F01 equals Feature 1).

Excavated contexts that belong to the same depositional basin (e.g. a posthole and postmold or the layers in a single pit) have been assigned a single feature number. In addition, single contexts have been given feature numbers when the original field records indicate that the excavators recognized a context’s spatial distinctiveness from surrounding contexts.

Feature Groups

Feature groups are sets of features whose spatial arrangements indicate they were part of a single structure (e.g. structural post holes, sub-floor pits, and hearth) or landscape element (e.g. post holes that comprise a fence line). Feature Groups assigned by DAACS have a FG-prefix, which precedes the number (i.e. FG01 equals Feature Group 1).

For the 1809 Stone House, three feature groups were assigned. FG01 consists of the physical remains of the 1809 Stone House, including the walls (which were not excavated), the chimney hearth (not excavated) and a builder's trench. FG02 is comprised of two post holes and molds that are possibly part of the 1796 fence line. It is difficult to determine the exact relationship between these post holes from the original excavation records, but their location and appearance in drawings suggest that they are contemporary. FG03 includes three post holes to the exterior of the Stone House that appear to be stratigraphically below the zone associated with MRS-5. The interpretation for this feature group is undetermined; the spacing between F06 and F07 is approximately four feet, while F08 is spaced farther apart (though another post hole could be underneath the two-foot baulk ). The 4-foot interval appears to be too small to make a fence or structure likely, but interpretation is left open.