Public Archaeology at Stagg Hall - 2015

Charles County has started holding public archaeology events at Stagg Hall in Port Tobacco (map).  Esther Read is the archaeologist in charge.

Saturday November 16, 2015 we returned to Stagg Hall.  Work continued on the test unit containing the lead print type, and a new test unit was opened adjacent to it.   This new unit further defined a brick foundation that had been seen last time in the wall of the previous unit.  The question is which unit was inside the building and which was outside.  Or was the foundation really to support an interior wall.  Once again lead type print was found.  Eighteen people including two CCASM members participated.

In case you are wondering what
lead print type looks like

On October 31 two test units and one shovel test pit were dug.  The second test pit was particularly interesting.  We uncovered part of a foundation that appears to be associated with a print shop.  A number of lead print types were found.  We will continue to investigate that unit at the next field event, but we will start washing the artifacts recovered this coming Monday.  The weather was just right for working out of doors.  Twenty-two people including nine CCASM members participated.  (Esther was the only one that dressed up for Halloween.)

 

 

Protecting Historic Places, Archeological Sites and Cultural Landscapes from the Effects of Natural Hazards

Jen Sparenburg and Stephanie Sperling

At the November 12 CCASM meeting there were two talks relating to protecting archaeological sites from the effects of Natural Hazards.

First, Jen Sparenberg discussed hazard mitigation in Maryland.  She indicated that each county had a 5-year hazard mitigation plan, but most counties do not consider cultural resources in the Hazard Mitigation Plans.  Several counties are working to change that when the plans are updated over the next few years.  (The current Charles County's Hazard Mitigation Plan is for 2011-2016).   Jen also described the types of hazards that affect archaeological sites as well as gave some examples of protecting archaeological sites and historic structures.  Jen is the Hazard Mitigation Officer for the Maryland Historical Trust.

Next Stephanie Sperling talked about the continuing effort in Anne Arundel County to identify archaeological sites at risk due to sea-level rise and coastal erosion.  Stephanie also showed their SWAT team effort on three of the sites considered most at risk.  On her cell phone was an image of her in chest waders excavating a stratified site as the tide started coming in.  Stephanie is with the Lost Towns Project in Anne Arundel County.

Two members brought in things to share.  Barbara brought in a bone - what looks like the vertebra of a very large animal.  A neighbor had found it in the banks of a stream. The general opinion was that it may have been from a whale.  Also Joe brought in glass, possibly worked, that he had found near Zekiah Swamp.

Attendance: 15

Mallow's Bay Public Comment Meeting

Wednesday November 4 NOAA held the first of two public meetings seeking public input on how the Mallow's Bay site should best be used and managed.  After the official program sixty-two people made comments (2-minutes maximum).   The comments covered support, concerns, and proposed scope changes.  There were over a hundred people there.  I don't have an exact count of those attending.  Since many did not make comments, there were definitely over a hundred people present. CCASM indicated their support of the designation of Mallow's Bay as a National Marine Sanctuary, and at least three CCASM members attended.

The next meeting will be Tuesday November 10, 6:30-9, at Annapolis Maritime Museum, 723 2nd St, Annapolis, Maryland.  At least two CCASM members have indicated they plan to attend.

If you can't attend one of the meetings, you can submit electronic comments via the Federal Portal http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NOS-2015-0111. 

Mallow's Bay
Photo courtesy of National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration

The September 16 "Notice of Intent" only started the process to consider designating Mallow's Bay as a National Marine Sanctuary.  The process normally takes 2-5 years and consists of four steps. This meeting was part of the first of the four steps.
1- Scoping
2- Sanctuary Proposal
3-Public Review
4- Sanctuary Designation