2020 Public Archaeology Lab Days (Jan-Mar)

CCASM has been working with Charles County at the ongoing Public Archaeology Lab Days for several years.  The lab is for processing artifacts recovered from various archaeology initiatives in Charles County -  including processing artifacts recovered from savage archaeology in County as well as those recovered in the 1970's around the Port Tobacco Courthouse.  Esther Read is the archaeologist in charge.

Here is what we did the first part of 2020 before the shutdown to help prevent the spread of covid-19.  The last lab day was March 9.

Since we had five people --Denise, Mary, Linda, Elsie, Julie, and Carol-- at the March 9 Lab, we were able to have three work stations for cataloging the Port Tobacco artifacts.  This decal-decorated whiteware sherd was selected as the artifact of the day.  Decals were first introduced in 1890.  So this is a 20th century artifact.

March 2 Linda, Denise, Elsie, Carol, and Mary continued reconciling and processing the Port Tobacco artifacts.  Linda and Elsie were sorting a large bag of ceramics, and we decided to highlight this North American stoneware fragment.

Even with just a few volunteers work continued at the February 24 Lab.  Mary and Carol continued cataloging.  Elsie and Julie continued comparing bag contents with the catalog.  And this "complete" white tobacco pipe was selected as the artifact of the day.  According to Noel Hume's book it would have been made in Britain 1720-1820.

February 10 Mary and Linda continued cataloging.  Elsie, Denise, and Carol spent some time cataloging, but also did inventory of bags, boxes, and computers.  We chose this base of a glass vessel as the artifact of the day. The stem seems too big to be from a wine glass.

At the February 3 Lab Mary and Linda continued cataloging while Elsie, Denise, and Julie checked previously cataloged lots for missing items without pull slips and instances where actual artifact number disagreed with the catalog.  And there was another session of Archaeology Academy.
For the artifact of the day we chose this lead crystal decanter stopper with internal decorative bubbles in the round head of the stopper which do not show in the picture due to patination and etching of the glass.  The stopper is similar to one sketched in Noel Hume's book as circa 1720-1835.
Thanks to Elsie for the info and the photo.

Denise, Elsie, Linda, Carol, and Esther spent the January 27 Lab continuing to catalog artifacts and also correcting the catalog.  We chose something different for the artifact of the day - a Schrader pneumatic tire valve.

On January 13 Denise, Mary, Elsie, Mary, Carol, Julie, and Esther were once again cataloging artifacts and also correcting the catalog.  We now have three computer stations.  The Port Tobacco River Conservancy now has a new computer and is donating the old one to CCASM.  CCASM's current plans are for the computer to be used in the Monday Lab.  Several of those attending lab have also given older computers and printers for use in the lab.
This porcelain bowl was chosen as the artifact of the day.  Part of an image of a woman with a Gibson Girl hairstyle can be seen in the bottom of the bowl.  Only the top of the head is shown. This bowl was recovered from Area B, Feature 1, Square 5, Level 5.

The January 6th Lab was a good start for the new year.  After putting away the Christmas decorations in the South Wing it took a little time to remember where we had left off cataloging.  But soon Linda was organizing while Elsie, Janna, Julia, Mary, Carol, and Esther started cataloging.  These fragments from a tin-glazed plate were chosen as the artifact of the day.

2019 Public Archaeology Lab Days (Jul-Dec)
2019 Public Archaeology Lab Days (Jan-June)
2018 Public Archaeology Lab Days (July-Dec)
2018 Public Archaeology Lab Days (Jan-June)
2017 Public Archaeology Lab Days (July-Dec)
2017 Public Archaeology Lab Days (Jan-June)
2016 Public Archaeology Lab Days (July-Dec)
2016 Public Archaeology Lab Days (Jan-June)
2015 Public Archaeology Lab Days