Archaeological Test Excavations of the Historic Component of 45-WT-1 Texas City/Riparia, Whitman County, Washington, 1983

摘要

Approximately 348 meters of trench lines were excavated in 30 cm by 4 m units and 10 cm levels to test for feature locations and artifact concentrations. Additional excavation units were opened when features were exposed. Seventeen features were documented and nearly 13,000 items of material culture processed. Two excavated privies were filled with stoves, bone, condiment and beverage bottles, toys, door and car parts, and clothing. The remains of the historic townsite appear to be intact with artifacts recovered dating to the time span of 1860-1930 and representing building construction, food consumption, recreation, and domestic activities. Test excavations of the historic component of 45-WT-1 have yielded an array of artifacts from, and feature documentation for, this nineteenth and twentieth century site, and have shown that potential for more information on the material culture, and, thus the history, of this Snake River town exists. As the remains of the townsite are likely to yield information important to the history of Texas City, and that of Snake River settlement and transportation, 45-WT-1 may be eligible for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places.