Accessibility Compliance
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Author ORCID Identifier
0000-0002-4222-1544
Document Type
Research Report
Publication Date
2022
Abstract
This report describes the scope and preliminary results of the archaeological mapping undertaken at the potential Afro-Indigenous Burial Ground on Sylvester Manor by the Fiske Center for Archaeological Research from the University of Massachusetts Boston in October of 2021 for the Sylvester Manor Educational Farm (SMEF). The data collection was prompted by Groundskeeper Gunnar Wisseman’s observation of a number of fieldstones that appeared on the surface of the area around the potential Afro-Indigenous Burial Ground. These stones were identified during and after a cleanup of the area. Because the SFEF master plan draft gives primacy to the potential Afro-Indigenous Burial Ground, the fieldstones were mapped, in anticipation of further work, which might include shovel test pits, excavation, and geophysical prospection.
As part of the 2021 work, 8 semi-permanent datums-or benchmarks-were established. With the datums established, over 4,500 individual topographic points were taken during the project using total station setups based on these 8 benchmarks. As part of the topographic mapping, 48 trees and 170 rocks were recorded, each with 3-8 individual topographic points taken. Around the potential Afro-Indigenous Burial Ground, the lower elevations were about 5 m above sea level (asl), and the highest points were 16.4 m asl. The surface stones do not seem to be clustered together or be randomly scattered but rather evenly spaced across the demarcated area.
Community Engaged/Serving
Part of the UMass Boston Community-Engaged Teaching, Research, and Service Series. //scholarworks.umb.edu/engage
Recommended Citation
Steinberg, John M.; Schoenfelder, John W.; Mrozowski, Stephen A.; Trigg, Heather B.; and Lee, Nedra, "Report on the 2021 Archaeological mapping at the Potential Afro-Indigenous Burial Ground on the Sylvester Manor Educational Farm, Shelter Island, New York" (2022). Andrew Fiske Memorial Center for Archaeological Research Publications. 89.
https://scholarworks.umb.edu/fiskecenter_pubs/89
Creative Commons License
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