Tabletop Excavation

Patricia Samford

At CCASM's December 12th meeting we did something different - investigated a "site" without getting our hands dirty.  Dr. Patricia Samford led us in an activity that she had developed using a pretend historic site.  We could only excavate half of the site, and we could only look at three of the archival documents.  Tricia guided us in using the same processes of reasoning and analysis that archaeologists use when excavating and researching real sites.  Then we used what we had found out to draw conclusions about the pretend site.  But unlike a real investigation, Patricia shared with us how close our conclusions were.

Dr. Samford is the Director of the Maryland Archaeological Conservation Lab at Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum.

The pretend site and archaeologists

Field Crew
You'll have to play to see what's under the black areas.

Researchers

Attendance: 11

Sense of Place

Rico Newman

At the November 13 CCASM meeting Rico Newman, a member of the Piscataway Conoy Tribe, talked about "Sense of Place", one of five parts of what could be used to describe the "World View" of Native Americans.  This World View was used to frame the discussion while documenting the oral history of the oldest Native Americans at the time.  Rico went on to mention various places associated with the Piscataway, the significance of the places, and the meaning of the names.  Many of these are located in federal, state, or county parks.  Rico is the director of the non-profit Maryland Indian Tourism Assoc., Inc.  He also talked about the efforts of the non-profit to create the Maryland Indian Heritage Trails in order to make people more aware of these locations and their significance to the Native American story.

Rico Newman is a former speaker for the Choptico Band of Indians and now serves as its Historic Preservation Officer.  He also recently accepted appointment to the Maryland Commission on Indian Affairs.

Attendance: 20

2014 ESAF Meeting

The Archaeological Society of Maryland (ASM) hosted the Eastern States Archaeological Federation (ESAF) Meeting.  The meeting was held October 30-November 1 at the Holiday Inn in Solomons, Maryland.  ESAF is the association of state (and provincial) archaeological societies in the eastern United States and Canada.  Although a high percentage of those attending were from Maryland,  around ten states and at least two Canadian provinces were represented. 

Lots of interesting talks.  Lots of nice (and interesting) people. 

Ten sessions with 73 presentations were presented over two days (October 31-November 1). The session titles were Indigenous Landscapes of the Chesapeake, D.C. Archeology, Contributing Papers (from Maryland), East Coast Shell Middens, Recent Landscape and Garden Archaeology in New Jersey, Recent Preservation Efforts on Virginia’s Eastern Shore, Contributing Papers (from Pennsylvania northwards), Archaeological Investigations of the Labor Force at Catoctin Furnace, War of 1812 in the Chesapeake and Beyond, Pig Point on the Patuxent. Click to see titles and speakers

There was a reception at the Calvert Marine Museum the evening of October 31.  This was followed by the traditional Canadian-American Friendship Party.  The Mid-Potomac ASM Chapter and CCASM were the American hosts.

Henry Miller was the speaker after the Saturday evening banquet, and he regaled us with the history of archaeology at St Marys City. 

Although only three CCASM members attended the conference, they did assist with the conference.  Also CCASM provided the projector for one of the conference rooms.

CCASM is a chapter of ASM.

2014 ASM Field School - The Fall Classic

October 10 - 20 the Archaeological Society of Maryland, Inc (ASM) conducted a Field School and Lab at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) in Edgewater, MD near Annapolis.  Dr. Jim Gibb was the principal investigator, and he was assisted by Sarah Grady and George Riseling.  Both Jim and Sarah are members of CCASM.  Other CCASM members participating for a least one day were Carol, Lindsey, and Annetta.

The principal excavation area involved seventeenth century middens with lots of oysters and nails as well as lots of early seventeenth century pipe bowls - several with maker's marks.  Everyone had the opportunity to trowel (which is not often the case).   Laboratory work was done at the Sellman House. The weather was sunny on the weekends, but a little iffy during the week.  The tents came in handy.  Fieldwork only had to be cancelled on one day.  That day there was also an opportunity to help sort, catalog, and label.  It was really an interesting site and an enjoyable field session.

Archaeology - Rain

Or Shine

And in the Lab

CCASM is a chapter of ASM.

Charles and Eleanor Butler

Julie King

Dr. Julia King joined us for CCASM's October 9th meeting and enticed us with the story of Eleanor, an Irish immigrant, and Charles Butler, an enslaved African.  The pair met while working at Notley Hall on the Wicomico River and married in 1681 in Maryland.  People, including Lord Baltimore, traveled miles upon miles to see the spectacle.  Shortly before their marriage, a law was imposed stating a wife shall take her husband's status upon marriage (Eleanor would enslave herself) and this law was abolished shortly after the marriage of Charles and Eleanor Butler but did not exempt them from the law.   Dr. King used the archaeological record to reconstruct this narrative.  Interestingly, one descendant of the Butlers attended the talk.

Dr. King is a professor of anthropology at St. Mary's College of Maryland.  She is also the former Director of the MAC Lab at Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum and the former Southern Maryland Regional Archaeologist.

Attendance: 19

Posting submitted by Sarah and photos provided by Carol.

Charles County Fair

The Charles County Fair is being held Sept 11-14.   The Society for the Restoration of Port Tobacco (SRPT) submitted an educational display on "Port Tobacco Through the Years: Past Glory, Decline, Restoration, Vision for the Future".  Photos relating to CCASM as well as to other organizations working with SRPT are included in the exhibit. 

For CCASM there are photos of the Port Tobacco excavations done by the Archaeology Society of Maryland and by the Port Tobacco Archaeological Project.  The opportunity for people to volunteer at these excavations at Port Tobacco actually led to the formation of CCASM.  Other photos highlight CCASM's public awareness displays and activities at Port Tobacco Market Day and Ghost Walk.  One photo represents all the talks relating to Port Tobacco archaeology that have been given at a CCASM meetings.

You will have to go to the fair to see the rest.  The exhibit can be seen in the Garden Building.

1814 Battle of the Potomac

Patrick O'Neill

In celebration of the 200th anniversary of the writing of the Star Spangled Banner, Patrick O'Neill joined us for our CCASM meeting on September 11th to give a talk on the Battle of the Potomac and the burning of Washington. He described how Maryland and Virginia militias engaged British warships on the Potomac between August and September of 1814 and how these efforts gave Baltimore time to build their defenses before the British attacked Baltimore.

Patrick O’Neill has been a professional archaeologist and historian for over 30 years. He received a BS in Anthropology from Kansas State University and an MA in History from West Texas A & M University.   Patrick is past President of the Archeological Society of Virginia, and historian for the Kittiewan Plantation in Charles City County, Virginia.

CCASM would like to thank Patrick for donating a signed copy of his book "To Annoy or Destroy the Enemy", The Battle of the White House after the Burning of Washington to the CCASM Library.

Attendance: 22

Posting submitted by Sarah and photos provided by Carol.

Celebrate Charles! March From Benedict

On Saturday August 30, CCASM participated in the event "Celebrate Charles! March From Benedict".  The event was to commemorate the landing of the British at Benedict two hundred years ago during the War of 1812.  The British then marched to Washington where they burned the capitol.  Subsequent events at Baltimore led to the writing of the "Star Spangled Banner"

There were two locations - 1) Serenity Farm with crafters, inflatable games for children, petting zoo, and "1812 music" and 2) Maxwell Hall with historic reenactments, crafters, toys and games, and "1812 music" with a free shuttle between the two locations.

CCASM was at Serenity Farm and had one of the booths closest to the parking lot so lots of people stopped as they arrived.  The adults stopped to looked at the projectile point poster and then to sort the type of artifacts that are often overlooked - fire cracked rock, flakes, and ceramics.  The children stopped for the seed identification activity and to reconstruct plate fragments.  There was also the Port Tobacco trifold and a trifold showing photos of CCASM working on a Native American site.  And Rich also brought his bag of trash. 

We had nice weather.  It was sunny with temperatures in the 80's, and a light breeze that kept blowing over the photo trifold.

CCASM members helping with the booth were Barbara, Carol, Lindsey, Sarah, and Rich.

Time-Team America in Montgomery County

Time-Team America is a PBS series highlighting  the excavation of different types of American archaeology sites.  In 2012 cameras, archaeology specialists, and university students descended on Josiah Henson Park, formerly known as the "Uncle Tom Cabin" site, for three days.  Members of the ASM Mid-Potomac Chapter helped with the archaeology, mainly behind the scenes.  In the August ASM Ink  Don Housley, the chapter president,  relates what it was like during those three days.

The episode was to air Tuesday August 19 at 8pm on local PBS stations, but I couldn't find it.  I did watch a video of the show at  The Search for Josiah Hansen

Open House - Zekiah Fort Archaeological Site

On June 27 St. Mary's College of Maryland hosted an Open House at the Zekiah Fort Archaeological Site.  In 2011 Dr Julia King was the principal investigator that discovered this forgotten site that had been occupied by the Piscataway Indians in the late seventeenth century.  This year Dr King returned to do additional investigations and excavations at the site.

There were tours of the site where Dr King or one of her staff pointed out the remains of long-rotted posts that had been found in the excavation units.

There were also displays of some of the artifacts that had been found.  The two larger boxes contain artifacts found in 2011.  Those in the center boxes contain artifacts found this year.

In December 2012 Charles County purchased the property on which the site is located.  The site is to be part of the Piscataway Heritage Trail.

Three CCASM members (Lindsey, Peggy, and Carol) volunteered for one day at the site this year.  It was the first time that one member, Lindsey, had volunteered.  She found four beads, and the small signet ring (in the center of the artifact boxes) was discovered in her screen.  Quite a nice introduction to archaeology.

(Close-ups photos provided by Lindsey)

LaPlata Artsfest 2014

On Saturday June 7, CCASM participated in Artsfest 2014, held at the La Plata Town Hall.  We had fantastic weather for a change – sunny, low humidity, light breeze and temps in the 80’s.

Gary, Elsie, Peggy, and Rich, represented CCASM. We had two trifold displays which illustrated our largest projects – Port Tobacco and a Native American site at Pomonkey creek near Bryans Road.  We also brought information on artifact identification and recent work by professional archaeologists at Benedict and in the Wicomico watershed.  For the children we had 2 activities – seed identification and reconstruction of plate fragments.

Lots of people stopped at our tables.  Peggy and Rich spent most of their time with the children’s activities, while Elsie and Gary discussed the displays and CCASM activities with the adults.

Many people expressed interest in trying their hand at archaeology either now or in the future.  We even had a few who were willing to join us in the field immediately.  Unfortunately we do not have ongoing field work at this time so we told them to watch the blog for announcements of field work and to join us then.  We handed out most of our brochures and membership applications.  We also distributed a number of Maryland archaeology posters and pamphlets.

Although most people were very interested in our displays and activities, one little girl found sleep much preferable to archaeology! (See picture below)

Posting submitted by Elsie and photos provided by Gary. 

2014 ASM Field Session - Biggs Ford

The Archaeological Society of Maryland, Inc (ASM) along with Maryland Historical Trust (MHT) returned to Biggs Ford in Frederick County Maryland for the 2014 Field Session held May 23- June 2.  The Field Session was held in conjunction with a Towson University Field School.

Four CCASM members (Belinda, Carol, Annetta, and Jim) made the trip to Frederick County for any where from one to three days.  Except for raining all one day, the weather was perfect. There were lots of opportunity to work both in the field and in the lab.
 
The Biggs Ford site (18FR14) is a large, well-preserved, multi-component Native American village site on private property in Frederick County, Maryland.  It is one of only a handful of large Native American villages on the Monocacy River, and is the only known site in the Potomac River drainage that has major occupations by both the Montgomery Complex (1000-1450 AD) and Keyser (1300-1500 AD) peoples.

Lab Tent and Montgomery Complex Area

Montgomery Complex Area and Lower Keyser Area

Two Keyser Areas

Can you see the orange disks marking possible post molds?

In the southern area we were looking for features and post molds associated with the earlier Montgomery Complex peoples.  In the lower northern area we were looking for features and post molds that would indicate a dwelling occupied by the Keyser Complex peoples.   In the upper northern area the Towson Field School was looking for a palisade.  The bottom photo shows post molds (identified by orange disks) found in this upper area that could be from a palisade and dwellings.

We will have to wait for the report from Joe Dent to find out what this all might mean.  Dr. Joe Dent, Professor and Chair of the Department of Anthropology at American University was the principal investigator.  American University will complete the processing and cataloging of the artifacts found.  Dr. Bob Wall from Towson University was in charge of the Towson Field School

CCASM is a chapter of ASM.

Using Archeology to Empower Undergraduates

Laura Cripps

At the May 8 CCASM meeting Dr. Laura Cripps talked about trying to develop a general course for those with no prior knowledge or interest in archaeology.  She showed parts of the on-line "virtual excavation" that she uses in her archaeological methods class.  (There is no Internet reception in our meeting room, so we couldn't see it live.)  While doing the excavation, students learn a wide range of skills from learning to use Excel to learning how to look for information.  Of course, she talked about more than this one class.  She also described several research projects involving the students.

 Laura has also put up a website where students can "publish" their papers as well as show what archaeology they have been doing.  The actual title of Laura's talk was "AURA: Applied Undergraduate Research in Archaeology".   To see the website and what the students are doing  Click for more about AURA

Dr. Laura Cripps is an Assistant Professor of Anthropology at Howard Community College in Columbia, MD.

The talk was preceded by the annual CCASM business meeting and the biennial election of officers.  Below Barbara is giving the Treasurer's Report.

The new officers for  June 1, 2014 through May 31, 2016 are
President - Sarah Grady,  Vice President - Carol Cowherd,  Secretary - Sheila Geisert,  Treasurer - Elsie Picyk,  Board Members - Barbara Kane and Lindsey Denton.

Attendance: 16

2014 Port Tobacco Market Day

May 3 was the fifth Port Tobacco Market Day.  It included vendors of antiques, crafts, and food.  The Charles County Garden Club had their annual plant sale.

And once again CCASM was there with our archaeological displays and activities.   In addition to our regular displays, Jim brought artifacts - ceramics and animal bones- from the Burch House excavations.   Polly brought a new display/activity showing how what we leave behind tells archaeologist what we were doing.  Rich and Barbara came up with a new activity involving broken dishes.

Members helping out at the booth were Jim, Elsie, Barbara, Peggy, Rich, and Carol.  As usual I got caught up with talking with people and forgot to take that many pictures.  Here are some photos from the slower times.

   

Charles County Government and the Society of the Restoration for Port Tobacco (SRPT) recently formed a partnership for operating the historic Port Tobacco Courthouse, Stagg Hall, and Burch House.  The day started with a ribbon-cutting event at 9 a.m. to celebrate this partnership.

SRPT Board and County Employees

SRPT and County Commissioners

Discovering Archaeology Day 2014

On Saturday April 19 CCASM participated in Discovering Archaeology Day at Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum in St Leonard, Maryland.   It was a nice day,  and there were lots of activities for those attending.  It's always fun telling people about Charles County archaeology and what we are doing.

This year there was a scavenger hunt.  Children and anyone else wanting to participate were given a list of questions that could be answered by visiting specific booths.  CCASM has an activity that includes fire-cracked rocks, and we explain how rocks used in cooking at some point may crack and even explode.  So our question was "How are rocks used to cook food?".   Those that answered all the questions got a prize.  There were also bonus questions that could be answered by getting on the tram and visiting the Indian Village or the MAC Lab or the public archaeology site.  The children seemed to really enjoy looking for the answers.

 Barbara, Peggy, Rich, and Carol represented CCASM at the event.  Barbara brought a new display using pictures from our Native American site to show the steps we took from creating a grid for STPs through measuring and counting the artifacts.  And Rich brought his "What does it tell us" bag of trash.

 

Also we took time to meet archaeologists from around the region and to participate in several of the activities.  Here is Peggy throwing an atlatl.

Thanks again Annetta

Once again Annetta Schott, one of CCASM's members, has donated items to the Charles County Archaeological Society of Maryland, Inc.  This time it is a 100' measuring tape that we can use in the field.

CCASM would like to thank Annetta for all her her donations.  So thanks again Annetta.

Point Lookout State Park and Oyster Shell Tempered Pottery

Lynne Bulhack

At the April 10 CCASM meeting Lynne Bulhack did more than tell us about what she had found at Point Lookout.  She also described the various types of twining and nets used on the surface of the shell tempered pottery she had found.   And being a ceramics instructor she showed us similar examples she had made.  Lynne had consulted with various experts, conducted experiments on the pottery, and had submitted carbon deposits on one of the sherds to be radiocarbon dated by Beta Analytic.  The shell tempered pottery she found is referred to as Mockley.  Wayne Clark, one of the attendees, indicated the radiocarbon dates returned for her sherd was the earliest Mockley date from a Maryland site, and that archaeologists still used the paper she had coauthored with Johnna Robinson.

By the way, the advertised title for this talk was "Overwhelmed By the Sea".  This didn't refer to her being overwhelmed by the sea but to the Middle Woodland sites at Point Lookout being overwhelmed by the sea.

Lynne is a ceramics instructor, a visual artist, and an amateur archaeologist.

Lynne's Display and Experimental Pottery

Not everyone who attended, but these are all smiling

Attendance: 13