Lindenwald: Historic Ground Report Volume II Archeological Data Section, Martin Van Buren National Historic Site, National Park Service

Simon, Brona; Rubertone, Patricia

The archeological field survey of the Martin Van Buren Historic Grounds Survey (HGS) was aimed at contributing to the National Park Service’s knowledge of the building sequence and grounds evolution at Lindenwald by providing data which were not retrievable through other sources. In particular, some questions were raised concerning the location, size, orientation and disposition of certain structures as a result of the background documentary study. Of special interest was the definition of the Van Buren period grounds, whether two separate support compounds occupied the area behind the mansion of the compound defined by Van Ness was utilized by Van Buren. As well, the archeological survey provided a mechanism for investigating and interpreting anomalies identified through a separate study of the project area by the Remote Sensing Division of the National Park Service. The results of the archeological survey are presented in this volume. It is organized into two major sections: a description of the data collection and analytical procedures; and a description of the results. The data collection section includes an explication of the field methodology and techniques, pollen cores, and laboratory processing and analytical approaches. The goal of this section is to present the reader with an understanding of the research activities as these contributed to the research goals. The results section is organized under several topical headings. Individual archeological reports are presented for the major Van Buren Period structures and features. This is followed by a presentation of the total cultural material assemblage collected during the archeological investigations. The analysis of the horizontal distribution of materials across the site is discussed next. SYMAP contour density maps for various functional classes of artifacts are interpreted for land use patterns and modifications made in reference to documentary and other archeological evidence. The palynological results are discussed in terms of the identified historic species of trees and plants. Finally, a brief summary of the prehistoric resources discovered on the site is presented. Following the results section, a summary of the findings is presented. The final section concerns recommendations regarding further research and grounds development at Lindenwald.

Lindenwald: Historic Ground Report Volume II Archeological Data Section, Martin Van Buren National Historic Site, National Park Service

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