Locus 7 Site

The Locus 7 Site is an archaeological site in Washington Township, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, United States. Located north of Fayette City, the site lies on a bluff over Downers Run^[a] about 2,000 feet (610 m) from the Monongahela River.^[b] It is believed to be the location of a former Monongahela village, but its date is uncertain; the village may have existed at any time between 900 and 1600.[1]^:2 Its location on a bluff is unusual for Monongahela village sites, but this may have contributed to its preservation; most riverside Monongahela sites in the valley of the Monongahela River have been destroyed by development.[1]^:3

Locus 7 Site
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Overview of the site
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Location	North of Fayette City, Pennsylvania[1]
Coordinates	40°6′23.88″N 79°50′12.9″W
Area	2.9 acres (1.2 ha)
NRHP reference No.	80003495[2]
Added to NRHP	March 20, 1980

Small-scale archaeological investigation at the site has revealed a wide range of pottery at the site, along with a significant amount of mussel shells; it is believed that a more extensive excavation would yield evidence of small round houses and a stockade.[1]^:2 Such a large amount of potential findings has been theorized because of the limited disturbance that the site has seen: unlike most Monongahela sites in the region, it has been damaged only by surface cultivation by local farmers who used only horse-powered equipment.[1]^:3

Locus 7's archaeological significance was recognized in 1980 when it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[2]

See also

• List of Native American archaeological sites on the National Register of Historic Places in Pennsylvania

Notes

^ a: While the source for this statement gives the name as "Douners Run," the United States Geological Survey has recorded the stream's name as given in the text.[3]
^ b: While the source for this statement states that the site lies west of the river, this is impossible, as the land west of the river is part of Washington County.[4]

References

1. Michael, Ronald L. (July 16, 1979), National Register of Historic Places Inventory—Nomination Form: Locus 7 Site, National Park Service
2. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
3. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Downer's Run
4. DeLorme. Pennsylvania Atlas & Gazetteer. 8th ed. Yarmouth: DeLorme, 2003, 95. ISBN 0-89933-280-3.

Further reading

• Michael, Ronald L. Archaeological and Historical Study of Legislative Route 1070, Sections B10-B90. N.p.: Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, 1977.