August 26, 2011

Excavating at St. Francis Xavier Cemetery

Scott, J. Babock, Dr. Gibb, Frankie
Scott Lawrence and Dr. James Gibb are looking for the 1661/2 Jesuit Chapel in the St. Francis Xavier Cemetery at Newtown, St. Mary's County.   Based on precious STP work, 5' x 5' units are being excavated.  The site is completely clear and is situated away from known burials.

CCASM members are welcome to participate.  Carol Cowherd has helped on two days.

Current plans are to continue excavating for at least two more days. The dates will be posted once they are set.   The times are 9-4, but it is not necessary to volunteer for the whole day.

Contact Scott or Dr. Gibb for more specific information.

St. Francis Xavier Cemetery
21370 Newtowne Neck Road
Leonardtown, MD 20650

August 5, 2011

Trip to Smithsonian Museum Support Center

Friday August 5 was the CCASM trip to the Smithsonian Museum Support Center in Suitland where we toured a small part of the National Museum of Natural History archaeology collections.  This was the highest rated option on our survey for a week day CCASM trip during the summer.

Carol S, Josh, Phil, and Robin in back
with Elsie and Sheila in front looking at parkas
Jim describing drawer contents



James Krakker, the archaeological collections specialist in the Department of Anthropology, showed us just a small fraction of some of the objects from North America.  He indicated there was the equivalent of an acre of storage for archaeology and ethnology.  Of course, we had to see the collections from Maryland.  Also we saw how artifacts were catalogued in the 1800's, where collections were processed, and how the collections were stored.

It was quite an interesting trip.

Click on NMNH Anthropology Collections to learn more about the collections.

Museum Support Center
The tour was set up by Carol Cowherd who volunteers for Jim Krakker at the MSC.