Archaeology During Covid: What We Did This Past Year

Esther Doyle Read

At the March 11 CCASM Zoom meeting Esther Read's topic was "Archaeology During Covid: What We Did This Past Year".  The "We" refers to Esther at Charles County Planning and Growth Management and the members of CCASM who volunteer for archaeological projects in the County.  Due to Covid, volunteer activities stopped in March and did not restart until September after Charles County had gone to Phase 3. 

During Covid Esther continued to do reviews for new developments and described a mystery in a graveyard (that wasn't) in Ravensburg.  She also brought us up to date on historical research on Henrietta Burch, the wife of Washington Burch who owned Burch House in Port Tobacco after the Civil War.  And, of course, Esther gave an overview of the projects on which CCASM members have volunteered -- Monday Archaeology Lab, Alexandria Cemetery, and Rich Hill.  

But Esther didn't stop with work from last year.  She also gave an overview of the recent Maxwell Hall geophysical survey with which several CCASM members helped as well as telling us about upcoming plans for field work near Maxwell Hall Park.

Esther Doyle Read is the County Archaeologist for Charles County Planning and Growth Management and an adjunct professor in the Ancient Studies Department at the University of Maryland Baltimore County.

A snapshot of those listening to the talk -

Attendance: 16

2021 Charles County Virutal History Day and Science Fair

The Charles County Public Schools Annual History Day and the Annual Science Fair were a little different this year.  The projects were not gathered together to be judged on the Saturday morning of the event with the awards ceremony being that evening.  This year everything was virtual.   It was still called the H.I.T.S. (History, Industry, Technology, Science) Expo, but there were no hand's on exhibits in the afternoon where we could see what other groups were doing while we interacted with students and their parents.

The awards ceremony on March 13 was a virtual presentation highlighting the project winners.   There is pdf of the program at Virtual History Science Program.

CCASM sponsored one of the special History awards and one of the special Science awards.  In both cases the award was $50 and a one-year membership in CCASM.

This year's history topic was "Communication in History: A Key to Understanding.”. 
The CCASM History Special Award went to Riley Reigner for her project "The Code Talkers".  Riley is in the seventh grade at General Smallwood Middle School.  Riley's project was in the category of Documentary (Junior Division-Individual).

 This year's CCASM Science Special Award for a project "demonstrating excellence and scientific thinking relevant to the field of archaeology" went to Lucas Steger for his science project that addressed the question "How do different materials affect the strength of a WiFi signal?".  Lucas is in the sixth grade at Milton Somers Middle School.  Lucas's project also won first place in "Physics - Secondary".

Congratulations, Riley and Lucas!

Also CCASM would like to thank Doug Zabel, Carol Cowherd, and Frank Cowherd who judged the virtual science projects (slide presentations) for the CCASM award.

In the Field at Maxwell Hall (Geophysical Survey)

Friday February 26 was the first official day of the Charles County Archaeology Program 2021 Field Season and CCASM members were there.  It started out as pretty day that was somewhat chilly with clouds rolling in after lunch. 

Matt McKnight and Zac Singer from the Maryland Historical Trust (MHT) are working with Charles County on a geophysical survey at Maxwell Hall to look for indications of other buildings, e.g. possible slave quarters, on the site.  Esther Read, Charles County Archaeologist, is in charge of the project.  Matt and Zac are in charge of operating the equipment - ground penetrating radar and magnetometer - and the interpretations.  CCASM volunteers Linda, Mary, and Carol were there Friday to help set up the lines, etc. and to just enjoy being in the field with others (masked and socially distanced). This was just the first of four days in the field.

Work on the survey continued on March 2 with CCASM volunteers Linda and Mary as well as a number of Friends of Maxwell Hall volunteers.  Mary worked with Charlie Hall From MHT on the magnetic susceptibility survey.

After the survey wrapped up Thursday morning (March 4), CCASM volunteers Linda, Mary, and Carol hiked down to the Creek where they found brick bats and remains of a possible pier.  This led Esther and Cathy Thompson to investigate other areas on the site. (More to come later.)