Fields contain burial sites

MILFORD - A state archaeologist said the Santos Farm fields contain at least three separate sites of archaeological importance, one of which includes a burial ground. Steve McDougal, a staff archaeologist with the state Historic and Museum Commission, said the sites were among the first Pike County sites registered with the commission more than 50 years ago. One of the sites, at least, contains evidence of habitation 4,000 to 4,500 years ago. “These sites have pretty much been inhabited ever since,” he added. The immediate flood plain area around the property is rich in identified archaeological sites, he said. McDougal said he has exchanged correspondence with consulting engineers for the Delaware Valley School District, which is in contract to buy the 121-acre tract for an announced $7 million. The survey work, to verify boundaries, elevations and other legal issues, was initiated after the September announcement of the purchase. McDougal said, should any earth disturbance be planned, state and federal historic preservation laws, affecting anyone receiving state and federal aid dollars, would require an archaeological study of area. Furthermore, before any earth disturbance on any locations known to contain historic or prehistoric burial sites, consultations must be made with Native American representatives, McDougal said. McDougal did not comment on how or if the location, adjoining the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, would impact archaeological questions. Federal preservation issues go through the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Adrian Fine, director of the Trust’s Philadelphia field office, said the eventual question will be finding out exactly what’s there. Survey work, he said, is “the tip of the iceberg. You have to step back and see what you’re dealing with.” The archaeological issue may have already impacted what has been a controversial purchase decision. The district board of education held a lengthy, closed executive session before the regularly scheduled meeting Jan. 18. Responding to question in the public meeting, School Solicitor Michael Weinstein stated only that the board had been briefed. He added that the discussion of the property purchase remains in closed session because the survey outcome could impact the district’s offering price. However, another source said privately that the survey work had uncovered evidence of an archaeological site and that the possibility of new problems is endangering the 6-3 voting margin that approved the purchase in September. Deborah DuCharme, Bob Goldsack and Ed Siverstone opposed the purchase last fall. Goldsack has maintained that the largest portion of the property is in the flood plain, not buildable, and therefore not the best use of taxpayers money. Weinstein last fall countered saying that only about 18 acres is needed for the construction of an elementary school, which was given as the most likely use of the property. The environmentally sensitive areas in the flood plain would see much lower impact uses, he said.