CORRESPONDENCE - 75A SEXLINGER FARMHOUSE

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Figure 1. (Case 1). The site boundaries for this prehistoric archeological site from a state in the upper south were defined by the presence of artifacts recovered during shovel test pit excavation. The map included with the National Register nomination clearly shows the limits of the site with a bold line, illustrates the location of excavation units, and clearly locates the position of the site within a forested environment. Figure 2. (Case 2). Located primarily within a plowed field, the bounds of this site were determined through direct documentation. Although no testing occurred within the woods to the north of the fields, the presence of higher artifact densities in this area suggested that the site continued beyond the plowed field. however, it is likely that recent road improvement activities are respon- sible for the current location of these materials. For this reason, the bound- aries as defined by the shovel testing appear to be the most accurate definition of the site's size and extent. Case 2. A Plowed Prehistoric Site Identified through Surface Collec- tion, Natural Topography, and Land Disturbance. The site lies on a rise of land partly in a wooded lot (11.5 acres) and partly in a plowed field (ca.5 acres) entirely within property owned by a state agency. The site was discovered in 1981 when the State agency leased land for farming; the plowed field was surface - collected and artifacts and features were mapped. The site was defined by direct documentation (observation of surface features and surface collec- tion; natural topographic features; and land disturbance.) Boundary Description: The site is bounded on the south by the known extent of cultural materials, on the west by railroad tracks and on the north and east by a contour line defining a terrace overlooking a wetland (See Figure 2.) Boundary Justification: The southern boundary of the site is established by the limit of cultural materials and features and roughly corresponds to a lowering in grade. The highest artifact densities recov- ered during surface collection were noted at the northern and western edges of the plowed field. By ex- trapolation, it is likely that the site extends into the wooded areas to the north and west. The western bound- ary is established by the railroad cut which corresponds roughly to the original terrace edge. The northern and eastern boundaries are set by the contour line marking an abrupt fall to the wetland. Case 3. A Prehistoric Site Defined by Natural Topographic Features: The site was discovered in 1965 and was investigated archeologically between then and 1977 by the State University and the State Archeological Society. Excavations and surveys revealed that the site was occupied from Early =hArchaic through Woodland times and istoric historic, eighteenth - century, English - colonial component is also present. 53