Salubria (18PR692)

Phase I investigations by Goodwin & Associates took place in 2003 within a 2.7 acre "environmental setting" established by P.G. County Historic Preservation Commission as part of an historic work application. A multi-component prehistoric and historic period site was identified in the vicinity of Salubria plantation ruins and outbuildings. The prehistoric component includes a scatter of quartz and quartzite debitage and two very small grit-tempered sherds (probably Late Woodland Potomac Creek or Moyaone) identified in two areas adjacent to the plantation house ruins. The historic component includes a scatter of 19th century artifacts as well as a kitchen-related shell midden located between the "kitchen" and the "dairy."

A Phase I survey was performed by Thunderbird Archeology in 2006 outside of the historic environmental setting, encompassing the remaining 45.89 acres of land owned by the Peterson Companies. Site 18PR692 has been expanded to encompass the landform that extends south from the Salubria house, and a portion of land to the northwest. Historic artifacts were recovered from both newly identified portions of the project area. Only one prehistoric artifact was recovered, a quartz flake. An additional site (18PR809), related to 18PR692, was identified down slope and to the east of Salubria. 18PR809 is a multi-component site with 19th century artifacts related to the occupation of Salubria and prehistoric artifacts such as debitage and additional Potomac Creek wares.

A Phase II archaeological evaluation of site 18PR692 was conducted within the 2.7 acre Environmental Setting of Salubria in 2011. These investigations at site 18PR692 identified intact 19th century contexts within the site including a preserved historic midden, a historic terra cotta water pipe and associated trench, a remnant of the brick foundation of the farmhouse with an associated builder’s trench, and another possible builder’s trench or drip line feature associated with that dwelling. Additionally, previously unknown historic buildings may be indicated by artifact concentrations within the site. As major subsurface disturbances within the site appear to be limited and confined; additional intact historic features are likely preserved within the site.

In March 2013 a phase III archaeological data recovery was conducted by The Ottery Group at the historic core of the Salubria Plantation in advance of approved construction. Excavation of forty-one 1x1 meter test units was carried out in area the main house and associated outbuildings as follows: 3 in kitchen, 1 in doctor’s office, 4 in exterior kitchen and office, 3 in core interior of main house, 3 in south midden, 1 to expose/test pipe trench, 18 in exterior dairy area, 1 in dairy interior, 6 in garage “midden”, and 1 to test the tenant house.

Phase III investigations documented substantial structural and landscape change at Salubria from roughly 1830-1990. Specifically, archaeological fieldwork has documented changes to the domestic core of the Salubria landscape that includes: 1) its construction, alteration and use during the John H. Bayne period of occupation (c1830-1870); 2) subsequent modernizing efforts to both Salubria structures and landscape during the late 19th and early 20th centuries (c 1880-1930s), and 3) significant 20th century alterations (c 1940s-2003) to structures that have obliterated or obscured earlier archaeological contexts (Bodor, 2013).

(Edited from archeological site survey form, Maryland Historical Trust)