Aubra L. Lee, RPA
Vice President
Dr. Aubra L. Lee,
Vice-President and Senior Project Manager of ESI, is a Registered Professional
Archeologist. During his 31 years of CRM experience, Dr. Lee has
conducted archeological and historical investigations at prehistoric and
historic period sites in
Dr. Aubra L. Lee received a
Masters in Anthropology from
Dr. Lee completed the requirements for
a Masters degree in History in 1990. His research for the Department of
History at NSU focused on the Natchitoches-based Indian trade after
The Doctor of Philosophy degree was
conferred upon Dr. Lee by the Department of Anthropology at the
Dr. Lee began work in Cultural
Resources Management before he completed his undergraduate studies.
Working for Heartfield, Price, and Greene, Inc., he
participated in projects located in
From 1984 through 1991, Dr. Lee served
as Supervisory Archeologist for Archeological Assessments, Inc. (AAI), located
in
Dr. Lee joined the staff of Earth
Search, Inc., in May 1996, as Vice-President and Senior Project Manager.
Since joining the firm, he has managed numerous projects of different intensity
for federal, state, local, and private clients. Dr. Lee’s first project
after joining ESI was NRHP testing at the Villa Milleur
site (16OR142) located in Faubourg Treme,
Shortly thereafter, Dr. Lee managed
the intensive cultural resources survey of four alternate routes for the
The first major project directed by
Dr. Lee for ESI involved both NRHP test excavations and data recovery at the
Wilton Plantation site (16SJ20) for River Environmental Consulting. Seven
locales associated with late-eighteenth/early-nineteenth-century Acadian
farmsteads were investigated. Excavation of eighty-nine 1 x 1 m units and
mechanical stripping identified the remains of five earth-fast structures,
along with the remnants of a raised cottage and associated kitchen. Based
on available evidence recovered from the site, all of the earth-fast structures
seem to be examples of post-on-sill vernacular construction. One of the
earth-fast structures served as a cover for a French colonial redware kiln that was discovered at the site. The
kiln contained a central firing chamber that measured approximately 3 x 3 m
with two fire pits located on the north and south side of the kiln.
Historic research clearly indicates that the type of kiln found at the Wilton Plantation
site had been used by potters since the Medieval Period of Western
Europe. In addition to structural remains, seventy-eight features were
identified in either the hand-excavated units or those areas that were
mechanically stripped of soil.
Dr. Lee served as Project Manager
under a portion of DACW29-94-D-0020 to the New Orleans District, Army Corps of
Engineers. Small scale projects completed under his direction included
NRHP test excavations at the Darrow, site (16AN54), HABS Level II documentation
of an historic recess wheel steam ferryboat (16EBR99) eroding from the
Dr. Lee, along with Ms. Rhonda Smith,
conducted archeological investigations at Trowbridge House, Franklin, St. Mary
Parish, in conjunction with restoration of the 1834 residence. A shovel
test regimen was completed in the green space surrounding the two-story structure.
These subsurface tests suggested that the yard was used differentially
throughout the history of the house. Excavation of a 1 x 1 m unit behind
the house revealed the presence of features that were associated with two
detached kitchen buildings that were superimposed upon each other.
Artifacts associated with the two buildings suggested that the earlier dated
ca. 1834-1850 and while the later date ca. 1850-1900. Subsequent to hand
excavation, thermal imaging of the property conducted by Real Time, Inc. found
the location of at least one other building as well as a cistern.
Currently, Dr. Lee is serving as
Project Manager under Contract DACW29-97-D-0016 to the New Orleans District,
Army Corps of Engineers. Small scale projects completed under Dr. Lee’s supervision
include intensive survey of the east and west Bayou Sale tie-in levee and NRHP
test excavations of the North Bend Bridge site (16SMY66), sample survey within
the Morgan City/Berwick Flood Proofing Project area, intensive survey of a
40-acre borrow area for the West Atchafalaya Basin Protection Levee in
Patterson, St. Mary Parish, Louisiana, intensive survey of two dredged material
disposal areas of the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet in St. Bernard Parish, and
National Register assessment and archeological testing at Southern University,
Baton Rouge.
Dr. Lee has managed two large data
recovery projects for NODCOE under this contract. The first project was
the former location of North Bend Plantation (16SMY132 and 16SMY66) in St. Mary
Parish,
Excavations east of Bayou Sale
recovered evidence of three of the four cabin locations projected by previous
investigations. The fourth cabin location was destroyed by road
construction and bank line erosion. Additionally, evidence of two large
structures, pre-dating the cabins, was discovered. Excavations west of
the bayou were less successful in locating evidence of two cabins believed to
exist in the project area. Hand-excavated units and mechanical stripping
clearly demonstrated that both cabins had been destroyed by construction
activities associated with the Cabot Carbon Black plant. Moreover, most
of the sheet midden around the cabins was removed and re-deposited as fill in
Bayou Sale.
Three backhoe trenches excavated
earlier by ESI south of the GIWW were relocated and re-excavated. No
additional hand-excavated units were placed in 16SMY66 since mechanical
stripping of the overburden revealed that the two cabin locations south of the
GIWW had been destroyed by bank-line erosion, the construction of a cement
plant, and construction related to oil and gas exploration. Research objectives
for the project, include investigation of consumer behavior of wage laborers
and power relations on an early-twentieth century plantation.
The second large-scale project managed
by Dr. Lee was conducted at the former location of Old Hickory Plantation (16IV50-52)
in Iberville Parish,
Data recovery at 16IV50 began in
October 2000 and ended by March 2001. A thermographic
scan of the entire site area was completed before subsurface excavations
commenced. Fifteen anomalies were recorded and mapped at this time.
Sixteen backhoe trenches were excavated across the site area in an attempt to
define the thermographic anomalies and provide
additional stratigraphic data away from the levee toe. Backhoe trenching
indicated that there were five areas within the site that contained intact
midden and/or cultural features. These trenches also clearly demonstrated
that no intact deposits were located in the western 100 m of the site.
Thirty 2 x 2 m hand-excavated units explored the contexts found in the five
areas noted above. Subsequent to hand-excavation, 582 sq m of soil were
mechanically stripped in three of the five areas. These activities
revealed the presence of one late-eighteenth to early-nineteenth century earth
fast structure, one late-nineteenth to early-twentieth century structure, and
101 cultural features.
Phase II investigations at 16IV51 and
16IV52 were conducted during October 2000. Seventy-five linear meters of
backhoe trenches were excavated at each site. Phase II investigations at
16IV51 demonstrated that the eastern portion of the site had been severely
impacted by levee construction and fill borrowing. No intact cultural
deposits were discovered in this portion of the site. Intact sheet midden
and three cultural features were discovered in the western portion of
16IV51. Data recovery at 16IV51 consisted of the hand excavation of eight
2 x 2 m units, three backhoe trenches, and mechanical stripping of 344 sq m of
soil. Before these field investigations commenced, a thermographic
scan of selected portions of the site was completed and identified three
anomalies. Intact midden was revealed in all excavation units.
Additionally, fourteen cultural features were discovered in either the 2 m2
units or when the soil was mechanically stripped away. Most of the
features were post molds. Their size and arrangement suggests they may
represent either a small, limited use outbuilding or a fenced in area.
Phase II investigations at 16IV52
consisted of eight backhoe trenches placed systematically across the site
area. These trenches revealed intact sheet midden and five cultural
features. Moreover, subsurface testing indicated that most of the
occupation was concentrated in the central and eastern portions of the site and
dated to the late-nineteenth and early-twentieth centuries. Data Recovery
at 16IV52 consisted of the excavation of three 2 m2 units and
mechanical stripping of 525 sq m of soil. Intact midden dating to the
late-nineteenth and early-twentieth centuries was discovered in all excavation
units and in the mechanically stripped area. In addition, 33 cultural
features were discovered in the mechanically stripped area. As with the
other sites, post molds were the most prevalent feature type encountered.
Interpretation of these features is in process, but they suggest that some type
of structure as well as a fenced area occupied this portion of 16IV52.
Dr. Lee has managed several
small-scale cultural resources surveys for private clients in
Dr. Lee has managed and/or
participated in several remote sensing surveys. Dr. Lee participated in
the initial delineation and mapping of
Dr. Lee and
Dr. Lee completed archeological investigations at the
John Carroll Jones House (16NA612) and the Roque
Brothers Store (16NA613) located along the west bank of Cane River Lake,
Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana. These investigations were conducted for
the St. Augustine Historical Society as the archeology component of a grant
awarded the society by the Cane River National Heritage Commission.
Moisture infiltration in the first floor masonry walls of the John Carroll
Jones House, a National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) property, was
identified as a primary problem to be mitigated. Recommendations to
ameliorate the moisture problem include a new closed drainage system (gutters
and downspouts) to channel water away from the walls and foundation; re-grading
the soil around the structure’s perimeter to create a positive drain away from
the house; and/or installing an underground “French drain” system that would
collect and drain water away from the structure.
A new foundation consisting of a below grade concrete
beam footing and new support piers were part of the recommendations for the Roque Brothers Store. Construction of the below grade
concrete footing at the Roque Brothers store will
adversely affect any cultural deposits located immediately adjacent to and
beneath the store. Similarly, re-grading the soil at the John Carroll
Jones house and/or installing the underground French drain system will
effectively destroy any cultural deposits within the required space.
Therefore, archeological investigations were required to determine the nature
and extent of cultural deposits at both structures before these recommendations
are implemented.
Dr. Aubra L. Lee and Mr. D.
Ryan Gray of ESI conducted field investigations at both locations between
November 8, 2004 and November 13, 2004. Eight shovel/bucket auger tests
excavated around the Roque Brothers Store revealed
intact midden associated with the life span of the store (beginning ca.
1925). Subsurface tests also recovered artifacts near the base of the
midden indicating an earlier late-nineteenth century occupation that predates
construction of the store. One excavation unit measuring 1 x 2 m (3.28 x
6.56 ft) was placed along the north wall of the John Carroll Jones House.
Excavation revealed disturbed midden overlying five features. Feature 1
is a twentieth-century cement and brick rubble “apron” poured adjacent to the
north, west, and south sides of the structure. Feature 2 is a rectangular
post support comprised of several hand-made, partial brick. Feature 3 is
a trench that contains Features 2 and 4. Feature 4 is believed to
represent a second rectangular post support made of partial brick. No
artifacts were directly associated with Features 2-4. Feature 5 is a pit
filled with sherds from nine partial pearlware
vessels, fragments from a glass goblet, and hearth debris. The pearlware vessels from Feature 5 suggest this depositional
context dates ca. 1820-1835.
Archeological investigations clearly demonstrate intact
midden and/or cultural features are present at both structures. ESI
recommended monitoring at the Roque Brothers Store
when trenches are excavated for the proposed below grade concrete
beam(s). ESI also recommended that no additional subsurface activities be
allowed to proceed at the John Carroll Jones House that may adversely affect
cultural features before archeological investigations are conducted prior to
this activity.
Dr. Lee also managed a preliminary cultural resource assessment of the proposed
Acadiana Gulf of Mexico Access Channel (AGMAC)
project located in
Site files and technical reports located at the Division of Archaeology and
Division of Historic Preservation in
Field investigations were conducted between February 16, 2004 and March 5, 2004
and were restricted to a 10 per cent sample survey of the terrestrial portion
of the project area. Survey included bankline
inspection, systematic subsurface testing when possible, and systematic probing
along submerged natural levees and open water areas. In addition,
twenty-four previously recorded sites were revisited and their current
conditions assessed. Seventeen of these resources will not be affected by
the proposed project. Site inspection during survey demonstrated that
five of the potentially affected sites (16VM005, 16VM26, 16VM33, 16VM35,
16VM36) have been destroyed since their initial discovery during the
1970’s. Investigations at 16IB110 discovered evidence of a surface
artifact scatter but no associated subsurface deposit. Auger tests excavated
at 16IB111 failed to discover any subsurface evidence of this site between
ground surface and one meter below ground surface. Site inspection also
determined that 16VM114 is located outside the project area. It is
recommended that no further archeological investigations be
conducted at the six potentially affected previously identified cultural
resources within the project area.
Nine new cultural resources were identified as a result of survey. The
proposed project will have no effect on six of these newly discovered cultural
resources. Subsurface tests excavated at two sites failed to discover
intact deposits between ground surface and 1.5 m below ground surface along the
bank lines of Bayou Petite Anse. The lack of
intact subsurface deposits in the subsurface tests may indicate the Rangia middens suggested by the surface scatters at
each site have either subsided beneath 1.5 meters below ground surface or are
located in shallow water near the present bayou bank lines. Similarly,
subsurface tests excavated within a third site located on a chenier failed to discover any evidence of intact
midden. However, only a narrow portion of the chenier crest was above water and more of the site
area may be present beneath the coastal marsh surrounding the chenier. Since the exact dimensions of these three
potentially affected sites have not been determined, they should be
avoided. If site avoidance is not an option, then additional subsurface
investigations are recommended to determine the exact parameters of these
sites.
Dr. Lee managed a small scale survey for Port Barre Investments, LLC, for the proposed Bobcat Gas Storage
facility and pipelines in St. Landry Parish,
Field investigations were undertaken
in discontinuous temporal blocks from November 2005 to January 2006.
Intensive pedestrian survey with subsurface testing in forested tracts and ground
surface inspection in cultivated rice and soybean fields was performed within
the storage facility, most of the proposed 27 km (16.76 mi) pipeline ROW,
temporary work spaces (n=3), horizontal directional drilling bore hole
locations (n=10), metering stations (n=6), and salt water disposal well
locations (n=6). A total of 297 A (120 ha) were surveyed. Field
investigations could not be conducted along a 1,219 m (4,000 ft) portion of the
proposed pipeline corridor between the existing Gulf South pipeline and
Louisiana Highway 741. Landowner right-of-entry has not been granted at
this time. Field investigations could not be conducted along a 731 m
(2,400_ ft) portion of the proposed pipeline corridor north of the ANR
interconnect. Landowner right-of-entry has not been granted at this time.
No standing structures older than 50 years were
discovered in the project area. Three archeological sites (16SL98,
16SL202, 16SL203) were discovered at various locations in or near the proposed
pipeline ROW. Site Bobcat Storage #1 (16SL98) contains intact midden and
artifacts associated with a
The following recommendations were developed for the
proposed project based on data gathered to this point. ESI recommends
that construction activities associated with the Bobcat gas storage facility
and pipelines be allowed to proceed with the following caveats. Site
Bobcat Storage #1 (16SL98) will be avoided during construction. This may
be accomplished be either moving the proposed pipeline or boring beneath the
site. If this site cannot be avoided for any reason, NRHP test excavations
will be required. Pedestrian survey of the segment of proposed pipeline
between the existing Gulf South pipeline and Louisiana Highway 741 must be
completed when landowner right-of-entry is gained as well as the segment
located north of ANR. Construction of this section of pipeline should be
halted until the survey is complete. Except in regard to the caveats, ESI
recommends that no further cultural resources investigations are required
within the proposed project area.
Dr. Lee has managed two large scale
projects for the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development.
Data recovery was conducted at the South Tall Timbers site (16RA660) south of
Dr. Lee has been and is still involved
with a long-term data recovery project at the Troyville
Mound site (16CT7) located in the town of
The vast majority of features (n=103)
discovered during the 2005 field investigations were post molds. Four
circular structures were identified from the array of posts. Structure 1
is seven meters in diameter with an outer wall constructed of small
individually set posts with a large central support post surrounded by four
smaller post set in a rectangular pattern. Structure 2
is eight meters in diameter and nearly identical in construction to Structure
1. Structures 3 and 4 are 11 and 12 meters in diameter
respectively. The outer walls of the last two buildings are different, in
that they are formed with pairs of individually set posts. The interior
support system is also different, utilizing a linear arrangement of posts
placed along the east/west axis of the buildings
Twenty-nine pit features of varying
sizes were sectioned and their contents removed. Three large, deep pits
exhibited signs of extensive use, such as multiple charcoal lenses, excavation
and refilling, and capping of discreet fill episodes with clay.
Similarly, five smaller pits also exhibit complex internal morphology, with
some containing at least three fill episodes separated by thin layers of
clay. Conversely, several pits are shallow, usually with a single fill
deposit.
Radiocarbon assays completed by Beta
Analytic, Inc thus far from embankment contexts suggest construction of the
embankment began ca. AD 540 during thee middle of the Bayou period.
Structures 3 and 4 were built, utilized, and abandoned between AD 620-720 while
Structures 1 and 2 were built ca. AD 770. Radiocarbon dates also indicate
that Strata IIa and III are associated with
Structures 3 and 4. No midden was discovered during the 2005 excavations
that could be confidently associated with Structures 1 and 2.
Archeological investigations on the
west bank of the
Structure 5 was erected 20 m southwest
of Structure 6 and was oval with a maximum diameter of 8.5 m east/west.
The outer wall was also of single set posts with an east/west line of interior
supports. Two large circular pits were located in the central area of the
building. Both contained a wide range of artifacts, both had posts within
their respective matrices, and both were disturbed by a rectangular pit placed
between them. Smaller pits, some cane lined, were placed between the
outer wall posts with additional pits on the interior north of the two large
circular pits. Several small pits were clustered northwest of the
structure with another to the north.
Radiocarbon dates from the riverbank
contexts confirm that structures with linear internal support systems date ca.
AD 620-720 while those with a central support post date sometime around AD. 770. In addition, radiocarbon dates and ceramics
indicate utilization of the river bank continued until at least AD. 1450. It should be noted that these are projections
based upon our current knowledge and are subject to change when ESI completes
all analysis and additional radiocarbon dates are obtained.
Dr. Lee’s most recent archaeological projects have focused on the development
of predictive models for the location of prehistoric and historic sites for
different feasibility studies. One predictive model was developed for the
proposed expansion of a portion of Interstate 20 in Bossier City, Bossier
Parish, Louisiana (State Project No. 700-08-0134) and a second for a project to
reduce flooding within Bayou Manchac Watershed
located in Ascension, East Baton Rouge, and Iberville Parishes,
Louisiana. A third model was developed for a proposed bridge replacement
study in northeast