Specifications include, but are not limited to: archaeological investigation to be performed in support of this project, with particular reference to NHPA Section 106 and potential NEPA requirements. The purpose of the archaeological investigation is to determine if archaeological resources are present within the area to be affected by construction and to determine, to the extent possible within the scope of the investigation, the significance of any archaeological resources that might be present. Phase I/II/III Testing and Excavation The Rueben Colburn House was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1974 as part of the Arnold March to Quebec Historic District and listed in its own right in 2004 for its significance as an early homestead in the Kennebec Valley. The period of significance is c. 1765 to 1954 and covers the families homesteading and industrial activities. Owned by the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry, Bureau of Parks and Lands, the property is operated as the Colburn House State Historic Site. Years of deferred maintenance will be addressed through a National Park Service Grant, part of which will require installing a new foundation. The funding source for this grant mandates that any ground disturbance be tested for the presence of archaeological features, and if it is not feasible to avoid and protect significant archaeological resources, the resources will be excavated, and the data recovered. These excavations will be limited to the area which will be disturbed by construction activity. All archeological work must conform to the Secretary of the Interior’s “Standards for Archeological Documentation,” including the preparation of a research scope of work and a documentation report on the results of the work. In addition to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards, the project will be governed by the Historic Preservation Fund Grant Manual (2007), MRS 27, Chapter 13 Archaeology, and the Code of Maine Rules Chapter 100 (Archaeology Rules) and Chapter 812 (Archaeology Standards), including review and approval by the Maine Historic Preservation Commission of the project proposal and scope of work. A. Testing Locations 1. House Foundation Construction of the new foundation will impact the entire perimeter of the house. The extent of disturbance out from the existing foundation will depend on the nature of foundation replacement. Initial archaeological assessment of the house perimeter should consist of a program of shovel testing to gain an understanding of the soils surrounding the house and determine if potentially significant deposits or features are present. Approximately 16 shovel test pits (STPs) are recommended for the Phase I investigation, amounting to 6 off the front façade, 3 to the west, 4 to the east and 3 to the north. Tests will be focused outside of window and door openings and will be located within 1.5 m of the respective house walls. Tests that reveal cultural anomalies may need to be expanded to determine their extent and the extent to which they will be impacted by the proposed construction. If significant deposits are identified, then a Phase II/III archaeological investigation will be recommended for those. Otherwise, the shovel testing phase can be followed by monitoring the mechanical removal of soils adjacent to the existing foundation to identify archaeological deposits or features that were missed by the shovel testing. If anomalies are revealed, then time will be needed for documentation, while excavation work continues elsewhere. 2. House Cellar The planned replacement of the earthen portion of the cellar floor with a concrete pad necessitates archaeological investigation of this area to determine if potentially significant archaeological deposits or features are present that can provide information on the historic use of the cellar space. Approximately 10 shovel tests at the Phase I level are recommended for this effort. Tests will be judgmentally located. If anomalies are found, tests may be expanded for appropriate assessment. Additional units will be opened at the Phase II/III level to further delineate and document specific deposits and/or features. A maximum of 12 units amounting to sampling of approximately one third of the cellar space is recommended to complete the cellar investigation. B. Laboratory Analysis All artifacts, archaeological/geological samples will be washed/floated, catalogued and prepared for storage.
