Step 1: Site Selection & Background Research
Selecting the Site | Background Research
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A" Case Study: Excavations at the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Shop
A Pictorial Guide to Site Selection and Backgound Research"How do you find an archaeological site?" "How do you know where to dig?" These are questions that archaeologists hear numerous times. In Alexandria, archaeological sites are discovered in a variety of ways. City Archaeologists consult maps, deeds, census, tax and other records. Historic and Native American sites can also be located through field surveys (walking across the ground looking for artifacts). Sometimes sites are discovered by chance by home-owners who find artifacts, building foundations, abandoned wells or privies in basements and backyards. Such discoveries are visited by the City Archaeologists and are recorded with notes and photographs. Information is then added to Alexandria Archaeology's register of sites in the City.
The City of Alexandria has laws that protect archaeological sites so that information may be recovered before they are destroyed by development. Planning dockets and construction applications are reviewed to see if proposed commercial projects could disturb sites. Before construction work begins, a developer may be required to have an archaeological investigation conducted. Occasionally, the City Archaeologists choose to work on an important site that is not threatened, or that will be disturbed by small construction projects not covered by the City laws. There are many areas in the Historic Districts such as Del Ray, Rosemont, Northridge, the West End that have the potential to yield information about Alexandria's historic and prehistoric past. Archaeologists in Alexandria view the entire City as an archaeological site.
Archaeologists rely on written information in their research. The archaeological study of places and time periods for which there is written history is known as historical archaeology.
Primary sources are the original written records from the period of time that is studied by archaeologists and historians and are the best type of written information. A newspaper such as The Alexandria Gazette, first published in 1784, is an excellent source for local history. Deeds, tax records, census records, photographs, diaries and maps are among the best primary sources for learning about the history of Alexandria sites. Secondary sources, such as history books, can be useful if they are accurate as stories or rumors that are loosely based on fact become embellished as they are passed from generation to generation. It is important for archaeologists and historians to distinguish between fact, opinion and legend.
Some notable places in Alexandria which house primary sources are: The Lloyd House Library, at 220 North Washington Street which stores books, documents and microfilm on Alexandria and Virginia history; The Alexandria Court House at 520 King Street which holds legal records including deeds and wills and the City Clerk's Office in City Hall, 301 King Street where City Council Minutes are kept.
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