During 2011 and 2012 Landmark Archaeology, Inc. conducted Phase I/II/III archaeological investigations at the SSWP Site located in portions of the proposed City of Saratoga Springs Waterfront Park. The SSWP Site is situated on a high terrace overlooking Saratoga Lake, where the lake empties into Fish Creek. The SSWP Site was considered eligible for listing in the NRHP under Criterion D as it contained Late Archaic, Middle Woodland, and Late Woodland cultural period occupations in unplowed and well-preserved cultural deposits.  

The Phase III field data identifies the SSWP site as a processing center extensively used from the Late Archaic to the Late Woodland cultural periods (4000 BC-1300 AD). Evidence of cooking dominates the excavated area of the site. The arrangement of thermal features across the site combined with the burned rock midden blanketing the site indicates the repeated use of earth ovens at this location. Earth oven use leaves a strong physical signature due to the process of oven construction, clean-out, and reuse.

Flotation analysis results show that thousands of charred sclerotia were present in features on the site. Sclerotia is a tough, tuber-like fungi that can be used as a food source. It is processed through burning, then dried, ground, and mixed into flour.

Phase III excavations included 50 square meters and all individual artifacts (over 9,000) and feature locations were recorded with total station survey equipment. Collection of field data in this manner provided superior spatial data than would have been collected through traditional excavation methods of levels within units and blocks. Esri ArcMap and ArcScene 3D modeling software were utilized to display the spatial distribution of artifacts and features in relation to soil horizons and topography. These applications not only provided a three-dimensional picture of the site as a whole, but also allowed for spatial analysis for filtered categories, so that associations between features and artifact classes can be displayed.