A.D. MARBLE & COMPANY
February 12, 2016
Scope of Work
Supplemental Archaeological Survey, Geomorphological
Assessment and Phase IB/II Report Clarification
SugarHouse Casino
941-1025 North Delaware Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19123
Introduction
A.D. Marble & Company will undertake additional identification-level archaeology and
geomorphology survey at the proposed location for the SugarHouse Casino in the City of Philadelphia.
The proposed fieldwork follows the recommendations presented in a comment letter from the Bureau
of Historic Preservation, Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) dated March 26,
2008 to James Boyer of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Philadelphia District. The
PHMC letter was a response to that agency’s review of A.D. Marble & Company’s report entitled
“Phase IB/II Archaeological Investigation: SugarHouse Casino Site (36Ph137).”
The PHMC offered the opinion that additional field investigation and report clarifications were
necessary before they could confidently agree with AD Marble & Company’s findings and then
progress toward a Memorandum of Agreement. Requested steps in the PHMC’s letter include:
1) additional mechanical stripping in the area where British Redoubt No. 1 is believed to have been
located during the Revolutionary War;
2) additional mechanical trenching aligned with the landward side of the shoreline based on the 1797
Hills map shown in the Phase IB/II report;
3) additional mechanical trenching to the north and east of Trench 16 as depicted in Figures 12 & 45 of
the Phase IB/II report;
4) additional geomorphological investigation within the former locations of the Pennsylvania Sugar
Refining Company and the Beach Street Power Station; and
5) clarification as to evaluations of specific shaft and building features and yard areas.
Areas that will be trenched or stripped mechanically of modern overburden will be cleared of debris by
hand by archaeological field technicians to expose any foundation ruins, shaft features, alleyways,
yards or pits possibly associated with former historic buildings or structures not previously identified.
If identified, these exposed items will be mapped, drawn, and photographed following PHMC
standards. Subsurface testing will be undertaken to establish the integrity of any newly found shaft
features and to get a preliminary understanding of their contents.
SugarHouse Casino
Phase IB/ II Work Plan
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Scope of Work
In order to satisfy these requests, AD Marble & Company has compiled a work plan strategy that will
address these concerns.
Item 1:
We propose mechanical stripping of the overburden through the excavation of 10 foot-wide trenches
west of Trench 17 in order to identify features or artifacts possibly associated with British Redoubt No.
1. It will be our intent to expose at least 50% of the ground surface in this area. The soil surface of the
stripped areas will be archaeologically cleaned to expose any archaeological features or deposits and
screening will be done where appropriate. Basic archaeological recordation will be carried out as
necessary. The exposed soils will be examined by the geomorphologist as well.
Item 2:
We propose the excavation of four trenches, within Historic Area H-2, that will measure up to 20x10
feet in size if necessary, along the landward edge of the 1797 shoreline for the Delaware River. Their
locations are shown on the attached Figure 1. Each trench will be investigated by the geomorphologist
and will attempt to identify the position of historic shorelines.
Item 3:
We propose the excavation of a 5-10 foot-wide, 300 foot-long trench along the eastern edge of Penn
Street and west of Trench 16. This trench will enable archaeological documentation of any
disturbances from various historical and modern construction and destruction events, particularly those
associated with the buildings of the former Pennsylvania Sugar Refining Company. This trench will
also enable additional assessment for possible remnants of British Redoubt No. 1. In addition, we
propose the excavation of two 5-10 foot-wide trenches, positioned perpendicular to Penn Street,
extending 100 feet to the east as shown on Figure 1. The length of each trench will enable additional
assessment for possible remnants of British Redoubt No. 1 and to further assess the potential for any
maritime-related archaeological resources.
Item 4:
To assess whether any historic ground surfaces remain in the southern half of Historic Area H-1, we
propose the excavation of one 10x10 foot-wide trench as shown in Figure 1. This trench will be
subjected to geomorphological analysis as well. We also propose the excavation of a 5-10 foot-wide,
100 foot long trench, positioned 30 feet west of, and parallel to, Penn Street, that will cover the area
where the Beach Street Power Station once stood. This trench’s position reflects a limited area of
investigation because the majority of the southern half of Historic Area H-1 is covered by concrete.
Item 5:
Based on a review of the field notes from the Phase IB/II archaeological investigation, A.D. Marble &
Company will provide additional information on the evaluation process undertaken to identity which
archaeological deposits warranted further study.
Laboratory Analysis:
It is anticipated that a low number of archaeological deposits will be identified during the additional
field work and geomorphological study. It is possible that one or several previously unidentified
features could be found so a maximum of 200 artifacts is anticipated from the trenching and stripping
SugarHouse Casino
Phase IB/ II Work Plan
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procedures. After the additional field work is completed, artifact processing and cataloging will be
completed in the same manner as the previous Phase IB/II studies.
Report:
An addendum report will be compiled that details and describes all additional field work
(archaeological and geomorphological trenches and stripping). It will include the analysis of the
geomorphological composition of the trenches excavated on the landward side of the river’s shoreline.
All previous disturbances encountered, associated with historic commercial activity on the subject
property, will be documented. Any new areas of archaeological sensitivity will be identified and
mapped. The report will also include recommendations, if required, for further work. The report will
be used in coordinating the development of a Memorandum of Agreement for the project between all
the qualified interested parties.
SugarHouse Casino
Phase IB/ II Work Plan
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