Why did archeologists decide to dig there?
Archeologists worked in the intersection because VDOT is adding turn lanes on both roads, constructing a foot bridge over a nearby creek, and placing existing utilities underground to improve the intersection, ease traffic delays, and increase safety. The archeologists’ work fulfilled the legal mandate of Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (NHPA), as amended. While archeologists knew a good deal about the project area’s history through archival research, they did find some surprises-like the Hooe Dependency Site! The Hooe Dependency Site does not exist in historical records. Archeologists encountered the site while digging shovel test pits (STPs) under aerial utility lines scheduled to be buried during intersection improvements. Although specific information about the site was absent from historical records, archival materials provided much information about past land use and occupants. This information allowed the archeologists to place evidence from the Hoo
