Evaluative Site Testing - Phase II Archaeological Services

Hardlines Design Company (HDC) archaeologists have extensive backgrounds in Phase II evaluative testing on numerous types of sites. Phase II evaluative testing is required to determine if a site is eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places.

Methods used to test sites for eligibility include:

• Intensive Background Research
• In-Depth Interpretation of Phase I Site Data
• Large Test Unit Excavations Based on Survey Results
• Mechanical Stripping
• Remote sensing

Feature and artifact provenience are carefully recorded in real time using Penmap software to record locational data with a Pentax R-125N Total Station.

The results of evaluative testing are carefully analyzed to determine a recommendation for eligibility of a site. This involves artifact analysis, examination of spatial patterning of artifacts and features, and comparisons to similar sites within both a cultural and regional context.

To achieve these goals, HDC has a number of tools at its disposal, including:

• State-of-the-Art Mapping Software
• Large and Well-Equipped Laboratory
• In-House Specialists in the Study of Prehistoric and Historic Artifacts and Faunal Analysis

HDC archaeologists are active members of the Society for American Archaeology (SAA). Please see the link below for more information on this organization.