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.