Article date: October 05, 2000

By: Dan M. Telvock

Parsons Engineering Science Inc. of Fairfax has discovered remains of an early Native American presence at the Avtex Superfund site in Front Royal. According to FMC spokesman Richard Goss, FMC was required to do a phase one archaeological survey of 37 acres at Avtex. The study was needed after researchers revealed the plot of land seemed to be undisturbed when looking at aerial footage.

The U.S. environmental Protection Agency and the Virginia Department of Historic Preservation oversaw the study, which was performed from Aug. 7 to Aug. 17.

Goss said the basis of the study was to ensure sensitive and valuable archaeological artifacts are preserved before excavation begins as part of the closure of the old rayon manufacturing plant.

Area B, a 24 acre plot, was an open field next to the former Avtex Administration building and Area A was adjacent to Area B.

Area B was where all three different types of artifacts were collected — fragments of stone tools, ceramics and fire cracked rocks. The fire cracked rock indicates campfires were used at the site explored. These materials are currently being cleaned, catalogued and analyzed, according to Goss.

Parsons Engineering Science Archaeologist, Cindy Auman, said she and a field crew of about six individuals conducted the survey.

"A phase one survey doesn’t give you a lot of deep information on the site," Auman said when asked how old the artifacts were.

Auman said a phase one study is mapped out with parallel lines, with archaeologists digging every 50 feet along the lines. Each spot where fragments were found will be clustered into a site.

Auman said the site in the north only had ceramic fragments, "which sort of implies the site in the south is earlier."

Auman said there are two kinds of sites, Native American and Historical European. She said the Shenandoah Valley is an important place for archaeologists, because of its historically rich and relatively preserved land. She also said the Avtex site was a perfect place for wandering Indians to camp out at and for archeologists to dig.

"It is a low lying wetland area with the major river (in the vicinity ), (it has a ) low flood plain," she said.

Auman said a phase two study would be needed in order to reveal the significance of the land and the items found.

At the moment , no one is sure if just dirt and rock lie beneath the ground at Avtex or more ancient artifacts.

"Either you gather enough artifacts to say ‘yes, we definitely have an important site’ or you don’t say that at all," Auman said. "You just can’t guarantee that more work will mean fabulous things."

Auman said neither the EPA or the FMC Corporation have contacted Parsons about doing a phase two study.

"I know the client (FMC) is waiting to see phase one and phase two is under consideration," Auman said. "It will be up to (FMC) if they want to move further or not."

Stephen Heavener, executive director of the Front Royal - Warren County Economic Development Authority, thinks conducting a phase two study would be a good idea.

"We’re going to talk about this at out EDA meeting on Oct. 20 and I am going to mention asking FMC to do a phase two study," said Heavener. "We need to identify where the true areas are."

Heavener said if the area where the artifacts are located is small, they could possibly set it aside while an archaeological dig is ongoing. Heavener said whatever proves to be the best move for their mandate is what he will push for.

" Our mandate is to develop land, create jobs and create wealth," he said.