Excavating Beekman	January 18, 2008
by Courtney Scott

A case study in preserving New York's buried past

Area 1. Wooden Water Mains

Beekman Street South between Water and Pearl Streets

Area 2. Foundation

Beekman Street Southwest between Water and Pearl Streets

Area 3. Wharf

Beekman Street North between Front Street and Water Street

Area 4. Bulkhead

Intersection of Beekman Street and Water Street

Area 5. Barrel Vaults

Beekman Street North, between Pearl Street and Water Street

Construction is occurring all over New York City, and in Manhattan it is common to see both new projects and utility workers upgrading the urban infrastructure. In one recent case, what started out as a routine project by the city's Department of Design and Construction (DDC) in Lower Manhattan soon became anything but. The Wall Street Water Mains Project, a long-term utility upgrade project, yielded several important discoveries in the South Street Seaport historic district, making it clear that archaeology remains widespread beneath the city's streets.

The intersection of Beekman and Water Streets (Chrysalis Archaeological Consultants)

Excavations for utility upgrades began in the summer of 2006 but came to a halt in August when two sections of an early nineteenth-century wooden water main were uncovered on Beekman Street between Pearl and Front Streets. DDC consulted with the Landmarks Preservation Commission as to how they should proceed.

Following this, DDC called in Chrysalis Archaeological Consultants to oversee the rest of the excavation. Archaeologist Alyssa Loorya worked in close cooperation with Judlau Contracting, Inc., the construction company performing the excavation work.

The Judlau crew was curious to know how archaeology is conducted in the city. (For example, they had often wondered who to contact if they come across interesting finds as there is no official guideline provided to construction workers at the outset of a job). During this project the crew was introduced to archaeology and were quick to learn how to identify potential sites as they were digging. It turned out that they were "an exceptional crew to work with...very interested in the history of the area and the artifacts they were finding." Loorya dubbed them "an archaeological dream team."

The construction site included all of Beekman Street between Pearl and Front Streets. Because of the nature of the utility replacement construction occurred in phases. Several archaeological deposits were uncovered throughout the area. For the ease of discussion the site is subdivided into five distinct areas (click on each title for the full report on the discoveries!).

Area 1. Wooden Water Mains
Area 2. Foundation
Area 3. Wharf
Area 4. Bulkhead
Area 5. Barrel Vaults

After several months, the construction project was completed--on schedule and with the discovery of several thousand artifacts. Currently the Landmarks Preservation Commission and DDC are in talks about developing a public display of the artifacts. With the co-operation of the Judlau crew and DDC, the archaeology project was a success. And despite some preconceived notions it did not interfere with or hinder the construction project. For all involved, it was a learning experience. Above all, it was one more example that you never know what you will find in New York City. Even here, centuries-old archaeology remains buried beneath the streets.

Courtney Scott, an intern at ARCHAEOLOGY, is a senior at Brooklyn College perusing a degree in anthropology and archaeology. He is currently participating in excavations and plans on attending graduate school in archaeology.

© 2008 by the Archaeological Institute of America
www.archaeology.org/online/features/beekman/

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