Independent Review Raises New Questions About Kingsmill Archaeological Study
By John Womeldorf, MrWilliamsburg.com
I’ve written previously about the proposed Frances Thacker development in Kingsmill and the concerns surrounding its potential impact on one of James City County’s most historically significant sites.
James City County recently requested an independent third-party review of the archaeological work completed for the project. According to a summary released from the Council of Virginia Archaeologists (COVA), the review raises several significant concerns about the archaeological investigation.
Among the issues identified were:
- The Phase II investigation was too limited to adequately evaluate a site of Kingsmill’s significance.
- Earlier archaeological work dating back to the 1970s was not sufficiently incorporated into the study.
- The proposed Phase III data recovery plan lacked important details expected under professional standards.
- More extensive field investigations and modern technologies, including ground-penetrating radar and magnetometry, were recommended.
- The review also concluded that the reports did not adequately address Kingsmill’s broader historical and cultural significance.
Overall, COVA concluded that the archaeological studies, as presented, do not provide an adequate basis for informed land-use and historic preservation decisions. While acknowledging that archaeological mitigation will likely be necessary, the review states that additional investigation should be completed before determining the appropriate path forward.
This independent review will likely become an important part of the ongoing discussion as James City County continues evaluating the proposed development.
Related Reading:
Proposed Development in Kingsmill Raises Concerns: My Take
https://mrwilliamsburg.com/proposed-development-in-kingsmill-raises-concerns-my-take/
John Womeldorf | Mr. Williamsburg
Liz Moore & Associates
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