RARITAN ARCHEOLOGICAL DIG, HUNTERDON, NEW JERSEY Submitted by Barbara Hooten (b.hooten@att.net). ************************************************************************ USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submittor has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. ************************************************************************ COURIER NEU5 07/30/2000 Hunterdon B 1 Pisacataway-dig-could make history By ROSA Source=Couner News; Date=07/30/2000: Section=Hunterdon, Page-B1; Piscataway dig could make history By ROSA ClRIANNI Gannett New Jersey PISCATAWAY — Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia may have lo share historical distinction with Piscataway if a planned archaeological dig turn? up major artifacts. This week, the state Department of Transportation will begin a $5 million federally funded archaeological dig ior pre-°and post-Revolultionary War artifacts in the River Road/Metlars Lane area. The five-month dig is a prelude to the department's Route 18 extension project. The state plans to extend Route 18 from the John Lynch Sr. Memorial Bridge at the River Road intersection and expand Metlars Lane, The second phase, slated to begin in fall 2002, includes connecting Hoes Lane to Centennial Avenue lo Interstate 237 at Possumtown Road. The project will affect at least 11 historic and two prehistoric sites, according to Ihe transportation department. "It's probably the largest dig ever on the East Coast," said June Sadlowski, curator at the Metlar-Bodine House Museum. "This is a rich, rich area in history- This is one of the richest in New Jersey." Piscslaway was one of the first areas to he settled in New Jersey, in 1666, according to township documents. From 17?0 to 1870, Piscataway's Raritan Landing area, on the banks of the Raritan River near the John Lynch Sr. Memorial and Landing Lane bridges, served as a bustling trade port. That area, now part of Middlesex County's Johnson Park, will be part of the state's focus in the dig. Raritan Landing also is a National Register District. A property on Metlars Lane in the Rutgers University Ecological Preserve area and another on River Road will be researched ior American Indian artifacts from 3.000 to 4,000 years ago, before the Lenni Lenape tribe was formed, said David Zmoda, the DOT'S principal environmental specialist, archaeologist and dig leader. According to the DOT, an archaeologist who looked at Raritan Landing 20 years ago considered this area more important than Wllliamsburg. The reason; Unlike Williamsburg, Raritan Landing was never redeveloped after it was destroyed in a British invasion. Coordinators expect to find items of great significance in the area. where a commercial bakery, warehouse, blacksmith store and homes were located. Several skirmishes also occurred in the area. In addition, Gen. George Washington lived for a short while in the Cornelius Low House, next to the site of what is now Rutgers Stadium. The slate has hired five archaeological consulting firms, which will provide about 40 archaeologists for the dig. Some of the artifacts discovered In the search will be displayed temporarily at the nearby Metlar-Bodine House Museum, a National Historic Site. A permanent exhibit Is planned for East Jersey Olde Towne Village on River Road in the township, Zmoda said. "We may find Revolutionary War evidence," Zmoda said. "It's a very intact site. It's exciting in the way that the deposits are all sealed." The dig will take place about 60 to 70 feet off River Road, and most of the digging will be just below the surface, about 3 feet deep. Other areas, where wells once were located, may be 30 feet in depth, Zmoda said. All dig areas wilt be fenced in and guarded by local, state and park police. "We may find Revolutionary War evidence. It's a very intact site." David Zmoda, Department of Transportation The Courier-News Copyright 1999