Public Archaeology at Rich Hill and Discover Quest

Sunday April 23 turned out to be a great day for the Open House at the Rich Hill Historic Site and for the associated public archaeology.  This event was part of Charles County's Discover Quest.

The public archaeology involved excavating an area identified by ground penetrating radar and believed to be a kitchen midden.  That appears to be the case. The top level contained oyster shells, animal bones, coal, nails, and bricks with some glass and later ceramics.  The third level was almost all oyster shells - lots of whole oyster shells.  Among the artifacts recovered from the fourth level were American stoneware and a large rusted flat iron object but essentially no oyster shells.  Esther Read was the archaeologist in charge.  CCASM members volunteering at the excavation as well as interacting with the public included Jim, Steve, Jeanne-Marie, Evelyn, and Carol.

Screening, Contemplating

Working and Talking with Visitors

At the Open House there were a large number of panels relating different aspects of Rich Hill's history, a virtual tour of the second floor of the house, costumed re-enactors, a Civil War encampment, and historical organization displays.  CCASM had a small unstaffed table with a sign indicating people should come visit us at the excavation.

CCASM Table

Mallows Bay and Discover Quest

On Saturday April 22 CCASM had a table at the Charles County Tourism's Discover Quest at Mallows Bay Park.  CCASM had a display showing the impact of tidal waters on Charles County's shorelines.  This tied in with the theme for Maryland's Archeology Month: "At the Water's Edge - Our Past on the Brink."  But most people stopped by to hear about how to identify some common but often overlooked Native American artifacts.

The rain came around noon, and it was decided that everyone should start packing up around 1:30.  But for those who braved the weather, there were all sort of things to see.  In addition to the CCASM table, there were

• Archaeologists from Maryland Historical Trust demonstrating basic and useful knots that can be helpful both on and off the water.
• The Institute of Maritime History created a mock shipwreck on the grass and invited people to measure and record the artifacts found in the shipwreck. 
• The Mattawoman Watershed Society had active models to show how different watersheds process rainwater.
• The Natural History Society of Maryland had all sorts of fossils including many that can be found locally from The Natural History Society of Maryland.  
• The Southern Maryland Audubon Society had a display as well as conducting a bird walk in the morning. 
• The National Park Service's Junior Ranger Van made its inaugural appearance.
• And of course, Charles County Tourism was there.

Thanks to CCASM members Elsie, Evelyn, and Carol for staffing the table.  (Also thanks to Peggy for offering to help in the afternoon even though everything had been packed up when she arrived.)
Also thanks to David Lassman for 'Thomas Stone" Facebook photo. 

Landscape and the Imagined Past

Esther Doyle Read

At the April 13 CCASM meeting Esther Doyle Read recounted how the Port Tobacco landscape she first saw in the 1980's is a stark contrast to its historic counterpart.  Even the current landscape does not reflect the historic Port Tobacco.   Esther continued with how recent archaeology as well as efforts by Charles County are trying to provide visitors to Port Tobacco more clues to this historic counterpart. 

In addition to describing the public archeology that has been done at Stagg Hall in Port Tobacco, Esther also described what has been done at Rich Hill since the last public archaeology done there in 2015.  The archaeology is beginning to tell us how the different occupants of the property changed the landscape of Rich Hill.

And then Esther indicated the next public archaeology days - March 23 at Rich Hill and May 6 at Stagg Hall.   Esther will be the archaeologist in charge of the public archaeology.  (Check out future blogs for more information.)

Esther Doyle Read is a Professor at University of Maryland, Baltimore County, as well as the Charles County Contract Archaeologist.

Intent on hearing Esther's Talk

In addition to the talk, Mike Mazzeo gave us the first look at the panel "Port Tobacco on the World Stage"  that  has images of early artifacts recovered in Port Tobacco but that were made throughout the world.  The panel is to be installed at Stagg Hall and was funded by CCASM member Elsie Pyck in memory of her late husband George.  Sorry, no picture, but be sure to stop by Stagg Hall to see the panel as well as all the changes that have been made there.

Attendance: 13

Archaeology Month Display at LaPlata Library

For April (Maryland Archaeology Month) CCASM volunteered to do one of the display cases in the entrance area of the LaPlata Library, 2 Garrett Ave., LaPlata, MD.

This display highlighted Charles County and this year's theme for Maryland Archaeology Month "At the Water's Edge, Out Past on the Brink".  Here is what the finished display looks like -

Finished Display

The CCASM Outreach Committee decided what to display, and Elsie, Barbara, and Carol put it together.

Covering bottom of display

Putting up text

On April 13 Carol and Elsie staffed the CCASM table at the LaPlata Library and answered questions relating to Archaeology.

2017 ASM Spring Symposium agenda

Saturday April 8 the Archeological Society of Maryland held its Annual Spring Symposium at the Maryland Historical Trust in Crownsville, MD.  

The talks at the Symposium included

• Archaeology in Support of Activism: The Hill Community ProjectTracy Jenkins, PhD student at University of Maryland, College Park
   
• ASM Student Spotlight: Using Archaeology to Find and Interpret the Role of Children in the Colonial Chesapeake
  Catherine Dye, senior at At Mary's College
   
• The Archaeological Conservancy at Work in the East: Recent Acquisitions and Projects
  Andy Stout, Eastern Regional Directory fo The Archaeological Conservancy
   
• Field School: Calverton Site
  Kirsti Uunila, Calvert County Archaeologist and Historic Preservation Planner
   
• The Iris McGillivray Memorial Lecture: Archeology’s Role in African American Critical Geography
  Cheryl LaRoche, Department of American Studies, University of Maryland, College Park
   
•  Oakley Cabin
  Heather Bouslog, M-NCPPC Department of Parks
   
• The Richard E. Stearns Memorial Lecture: The Powhatan Landscape
  Dr. Martin Gallivan, Professor in Anthropology Department, William and Mary

CCASM members attending included Carol, Annetta, Elsie, and Belinda.
  

CCASM is a chapter of ASM.  

April proclaimed as Charles County Arcaheology Month (2017)

On Tuesday April 4 the Charles County Commissioners proclaimed the month of April as Archaeology Month in Charles County (to coincide with Maryland Archaeology Month).  Charles County has a rich history and heritage, exemplified by historic buildings, cultural landmarks, natural features, and local rituals.  The county is enhanced by historic preservation associations, groups, and professionals who donate countless hours and dollars to preserve our history.

CCASM members Carol, Elsie, and Sheila received the proclamation and then gave each of the Commissioners and the Deputy Commissioner a Maryland Archaeology Month poster along with the accompanying brochure.

April is Maryland Archaeology Month

2017 Maryland Archaeology Month Booklet








Click for 2017 Maryland Archaeology Month Activities

Events in Charles County plus other selected Events
(All events are free unless otherwise noted.)


April 1 - 29 
Maryland Archaeology Month Display at La Plata Library
Sponsor: CCASM

April 3, 10, 17, 24  (11am-3:30pm)
Public Archeology Lab 
Volunteer at the on-going Public Archaeology Lab and process artifacts recovered from various archaeology initiatives in Charles County.
Location: Historic Port Tobacco Village, MD 20677
Sponsor: CCASM and Charles County Government 
Contact: Carol Cowherd  ccasm2010@gmail.com

April 6  (7 pm) - Calvert County
Tracing Piscataway Indian History on the Ground 
Julia A. King with Francis Gray, Tribal Chair, and Mario Harley, Council Member, Piscataway Conoy Tribe will talk about exciting new discoveries and how this information will be used by the tribe to tell their story.
Location: Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum, 10515 Mackall Road, Saint Leonard, MD 20685
Contact: Kate Dinnel phone: 410-586-8501 email: jef.pat@maryland.gov

April 8 (9 am - 3:30 pm) - Ann Arundel County
Archaeology Society of Maryland (ASM) Spring Symposium
Seven speakers will cover topics - archeology and African American critical geography, the Powhatan Landscape, recent acquisitions of the Archaeological Conservancy, archeology in support of activism, using archaeology to find the role of children in the Colonial Chesapeake, background on Calverton for the 2017 ASM Field Session, and the Oakley Cabin.
For more information on talks - http://marylandarcheology.org/Misc/Symposium_2017_Program.pdf  $7 for general admission $5 for ASM members and students
Location: 100 Community Place, Crownsville, MD 21032
Sponsor: Archaeology Society of Maryland

April 13 (7 pm)
Landscape and the Imagined Past in Port Tobacco
Hear Esther Read talk about recent public excavations in the eighteenth-century village of Port Tobacco that are allowing us to explore the changing nature of the village landscape and to help preserve local history.
Location: La Plata Police Department,101 La Grange Ave, La Plata, MD
Contact: Carol Cowherd  ccasm2010@gmail.com
Sponsor: Charles County Archaeology Society of Maryland

April 15  (10:00 am - 3:00pm) - Calvert County
Village Day at JPPM
Come spend the day in the replica Indian village and try experimenting with making Native American pottery. Learn about processing clay from out of the ground all the way to putting the pottery into the fire.
Location: Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum, 10515 Mackall Road, Saint Leonard, MD 20685
Contact: Nate Salzmanl phone: 410-586-8595 email: nathaniel.salzman@maryland.gov

April 21 (6 pm - 8 pm)
Mallows Bay Presentation (part of Discover Quest: WWI Commemoration Weekend)
Hear an engaging presentation about Mallows Bay by underwater archaeologist Don Shomette.  Also enjoy an art exhibit on Mallows Bay by Charles County Public School students and informative panels on World War I history in Charles County
Location: College of Southern Maryland, BI Building - 113 & 114, 8730 Mitchell Rd, La Plata, MD
Sponsor: Charles County Tourism

April 22 (9 am - 4 pm)
A Day at Mallows Bay (part of Discover Quest: WWI Commemoration Weekend)
Come for a day of interactive learning with activities and displays including measuring and recording a mock shipwreck, learning to tie basic knots, learning how different watersheds process rainwater with active models, digging for fossils, and checking out some Late Woodland artifacts. 
The Southern Maryland Audubon Society will have guided walks at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.  Also Atlantic Kayak will provide guided kayak tours including all equipment for $40 per person
Location: Mallows Bay Park,1440 Wilson Landing Rd, Nanjemoy, MD
Sponsor: Charles County Tourism

April 22  (11:00 am – 4:00pm) - Calvert County
Village Day at JPPM
Bring the entire family for a day of interactive learning and fun, including a simulated archaeological dig for kids, archaeological site and lab tours, exhibits, games and cool crafts.
Location: Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum, 10515 Mackall Road, Saint Leonard, MD 20685
Contact: Sherwana Knox phone: 410-586-8501 email: sherwana.knox@maryland.gov 

April 23 (10 am - 4 pm) (part of Discover Quest: WWI Commemoration Weekend)
Public Archaeology and Open House at Rich Hill
Participate in an archaeological excavation with professional and avocational archaeologists.  See historical displays, a Civil War encampment, historical re-enactors, and an eighteenth century house.
Location: Rich Hill Farm Rd, Bel Alton, MD 20611
Sponsor: Charles County Tourism and Charles County Historical Society 
 
April 29  (1:00 pm – 4:00pm) - St Mary's County
Open House at the new Historic St. Mary's City Archaeology Laboratories
Join the archaeologists of Historic St. Mary's City in a celebration of the new curation and analysis facility located on the campus of St. Mary's College of Maryland.  Tours will be conducted 1-4pm.
At 3pm join the Research and Collections staff in the Blackistone Room for illustrated presentations on archaeology undertaken at Historic St. Mary’s City. 
At 4pm in the Reconstructed Brick State House there will be a reception with light refreshments. Please RSVP to Silas Hurry if you plan to attend the reception.
Location: Anne Arundel South, St Mary's College, 16855 Point Lookout Rd, St Marys City, MD
Contact: Silas Hurry (Silash@digshistory.org)

 

Volunteering on Native American Site Secomocomoco?

During the week of March 27 at least two CCASM member took advantage of the opportunity to work on an important Native American site on Lower Brambly (St. Mary's County).  It is possible this large shell midden is the site of Secomocomoco, a Native American town or settlement.  Secomocomoco was also one of the Native American towns mapped by John Smith in 1608.
 
Last year shovel test pits were dug to augment information gathered about the site by Dr. King and her students in 2015.  Earlier this year a geophysical survey was conducted by Tim Horsley to identify what features might by there.  Evidence of an earlier house and barn were clearly seen.  But other possible "features" were also identified.  This week 5'x5' test units were placed over several of these locations to compare what could be seen in the ground with the geophysical readings.  

Looking at features in bottom of unit

Recovering pottery

While CCASM members were there, some of the things recovered were lots of shell, fire-cracked rocks, a bipolar core, a cortex flake, Late Woodland pottery, Middle Woodland pottery where the shell had not been leached out of the temper, and mammal bones.  But the main purpose of the excavations were to look for features. One of the units had a small plow scar, multiple post molds, additional larger possible post molds, and a round feature that cut into a larger oblong feature. 

It's always good to be in the field and to get a feel for the land.

Scott Strickland is the Field Supervisor, and Dr. Julie King is in charge of the project. 
 
Note that one of the sponsors of the project is the Archeological Society of Maryland (ASM), and CCASM is a chapter of ASM.