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Nature's Refuge Development <br />Phase I Archaeological Survey and Architectural History Assessment <br />Page 5 <br />which Holocene (less than 10,000 years old) deposits have been significantly disturbed <br />were excluded from intensive field survey. <br />2.3.1 Shovel Testing <br />Shovel tests were excavated in areas exhibiting greater potential to contain intact <br />archaeological deposits where less than 25 percent of the ground surface was visible. <br />Tests were small, circular excavations, measuring approximately 35 to 45 centimeters <br />(cm) in diameter. A 15 — 30 m (50 — 100 ft.) testing interval was employed for shovel <br />tests, with test transects placed 15 m (50 ft.) apart. <br />All excavated soil matrices were passed through % -inch hardware mesh to ensure the <br />consistent recovery of artifacts. Tests were excavated down to the C horizon, the level of <br />culturally sterile subsoil, or the water table. <br />Survey data were recorded through standardized forms and the field director's daily log. <br />Recorded information included: test locations and methods of testing; the numbers, types <br />and locations of recovered cultural materials; the depth of shovel tests and the thickness <br />of excavated soil layers; soil textures and inclusions (both natural and cultural); and soil <br />color according to Munsell® color charts. <br />2.4 ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY METHODS <br />During the field survey, the field surveyors completed an inventory of the buildings and <br />structures within the project area in order to identify properties that appeared to be 45 <br />years of age or older. Those resources were photographed and assessed for historical <br />integrity. Along with professional field observations, the Anoka County tax assessor's <br />office web site database was used to determine the approximate date of construction. <br />