The Locus 7 Site is an archaeological site in Washington Township, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, United States. Located north of Fayette City, the site lies on a bluff over Downers Run[a] about 2,000 feet (610 m) from the Monongahela River.[b] It is believed to be the location of a former Monongahela village, but its date is uncertain; the village may have existed at any time between 900 and 1600.[2]: 2 Its location on a bluff is unusual for Monongahela village sites, but this may have contributed to its preservation; most riverside Monongahela sites in the valley of the Monongahela River have been destroyed by development.[2]: 3
Locus 7 Site | |
 Overview of the site | |
   | |
| Location | North of Fayette City, Pennsylvania[2] |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 40°6′23.88″N 79°50′12.9″W / 40.1066333°N 79.836917°W |
| Area | 2.9 acres (1.2 ha) |
| NRHP reference No. | 80003495[1] |
| Added to NRHP | March 20, 1980 |
Small-scale archaeological investigation at the site has revealed a wide range of pottery at the site, along with a significant amount of mussel shells; it is believed that a more extensive excavation would yield evidence of small round houses and a stockade.[2]: 2 Such a large amount of potential findings has been theorized because of the limited disturbance that the site has seen: unlike most Monongahela sites in the region, it has been damaged only by surface cultivation by local farmers who used only horse-powered equipment.[2]: 3
Locus 7's archaeological significance was recognized in 1980 when it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[1]
See also
Notes
a: While the source for this statement gives the name as "Douners Run," the United States Geological Survey has recorded the stream's name as given in the text.[3]
b: While the source for this statement states that the site lies west of the river, this is impossible, as the land west of the river is part of Washington County.[4]
40°6′24″N 79°50′13″W
References
Further reading
- Michael, Ronald L. Archaeological and Historical Study of Legislative Route 1070, Sections B10-B90. N.p.: Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, 1977.