Yorktown site examined for 18th-century house, fort

By: JON CAWLEY DAILY PRESS | Times-Dispatch
Published: May 17, 2010

YORKTOWN -- A group of history hunters scoured a Yorktown bluff last week with ground-penetrating radar in hopes of locating what they believe was the site of an 18th-century house and later a British fortification.

The approximately 1½- acre property at the end of Martiau Street overlooks Riverwalk Landing and the York River. The property was once associated with Nicolas Martiau's 18th-century estate, which predates the establishment of Yorktown and could have historical significance that goes back even further.

Researchers with the James River Institute for Archaeology Inc. were at the site for several days. The researchers patiently marched the radar up and down the property as it scanned to a depth of about 8 feet.

Already, by last Monday afternoon, a number of "anomalies" had turned up. It is hoped that the resulting data will help pinpoint where to put shovel to earth in a formal archaeological excavation.

Interest in the site was spurred about seven years ago when a team of James River Institute archaeologists uncovered potentially significant remains during a preliminary survey that included several hand-dug test pits.

Archaeologist Nick Luccketti said the foundation for the basement of what is believed to be an 18th-century house had been found. A large area of the property is "certainly part of British Redoubt Number One," according to Luccketti, and evidence associated with the 17th-century Martiau settlement was also uncovered in the first dig, as well as pottery affiliated with the Chiskiack Indians.

"There is a very strong likelihood we will find a host of significant archaeological features," Luccketti said.

The current study was funded with a $5,000 grant from the Nicolas Martiau Descendants Association. The next step would be to conduct a formal dig. First, permission would have to be granted by York County, which owns the property.

The researchers said they consider the site threatened by potential development and are eager to have a deeper look at what may lie beneath. York County spokeswoman Christie Phillips said the county has no shortor long-term active plans for the property.