By Dennis B. Blanton, Stevan C. Pullins, Veronica L. Deitrick, Gwenyth Duncan, William and Mary Center for Archaeological Research
"Under agreement with the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR), the William and Mary Center for Archaeological Research (WMCAR) completed a second stage of data recovery in a portion of the Potomac Creek Site (44ST2) in Stafford County, Virginia. The fieldwork for this effort was completed in November and December, 1996. It followed completion of the first stage by Cultural Resources, Inc. which consisted of sampling and removal of plowzone to identify cultural features. The WMCAR work resulted in systematic sampling of each cultural feature identified. These include sections of a perimeter ditch, four palisade post lines, nine palisade trench lines, five pit features, and one structure. Radiocarbon dates establish occupation between AD 1300 and 1550. A model is presented of village evolution that accounts for an initial immigrant group and eventual adjustments to local conditions, including chiefdom-level organization. Patterns of subsistence are documented along with material cultures."--Abstract page iii.
