2022 April is Archaeology Month

 

The Future of Studying the Past:

Innovative Technologies in Maryland Archaeology

Download 2022 Maryland Archeology Month Booklet

Click for 2022 Maryland Archeology Month Activities

Events in Charles County plus other selected Events (as far)
(All events are free unless otherwise noted.)
Mondays, April 4, 11 18, and 25  (11 am - 3:30 pm) - Charles County
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: Charles County Archaeological Society of Maryland, Inc and Charles County Government 
Contact: Esther Doyle Read email: ReadE@charlescountymd.gov

Saturday, April 9  (11 am - 4 pm) - Calvert County
Discovering Archaeology Day
Bring the entire family for a day of interactive learning and fun, including archaeological site and lab tours, exhibits, games and cool crafts.  Experience, discover, learn, and have fun exploring the “what, where, and how’s” of archaeology!   more info
Location: Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum, 10515 Mackall Road, Saint Leonard, MD 20685
Sponsor: Maryland Archaeological Conservation Lab, Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum
Contact:   phone: 410-586-8538  email: jef.pat@mayland.gov

Thursday, April 11 (7 pm) - Charles County
Dietary Patterns at Two Colonial Sites in Southern Maryland
Abigail Kennedy, a student at UMBC, will compare dietary data from two Calvert County Sites - Pautuxent Point a late 17th century site and the Roberts Site, an early 18th century site -- to gain an understanding of colonial dietary practices along the Patuxent river in the early Colonial period.
via Zoom
Contact: Carol Cowherd  ccasm2010@gmail.com for link to meeting
Sponsor: Charles County Archaeology Society of Maryland

Saturday, April 16 (9 am - 3:30 pm) - Ann Arundel County
Archaeology Society of Maryland (ASM) Spring Symposium
Although we could list the speakers and the topics, it's best to just look at the Program and the abstracts. Spring Symposim Program
Cost $7 for general admission, $5 for ASM members and students
Location: 100 Community Place, Crownsville, MD 21032
Sponsor: Archaeology Society of Maryland

An Afternoon at the Charles County H.I.T.S. Expo 2022

On March 12, a snowy Saturday, Charles County Public Schools once again held its History, Industry, Technology, and Science (H.I.T.S.) Expo at St Charles High School in Waldorf, Maryland.  There were thirty-eight tables and six classroom activities/presentations sponsored by different organizations and school groups with CCASM having two of the tables.  A lot was going on.  There was a variety of hands-on activities to engage the students (and the adults).

  

One of CCASM's tables included a display depicting the various archaeological skills related to history and science.  But most of our table space contained an activity we call "Archaeologists Dig for Clues".  We didn't count the number of students completing the activity but we were busy all afternoon - not only with the children, but also with the parents. 

Thanks to Linda, Ned, and Carol for being there to interact with the students and their parents. 

2022 Charles County History Day and Science Fair

On March 12, 2022 the combined Charles County Public Schools Annual History Day  and the Annual Science Fair (now referred to as H.I.T.S.) was once again held at the St Charles High School in Waldorf, Maryland.  CCASM sponsored one of the special History awards and one of the Science awards.  In both cases the award was $50 and a one-year membership in CCASM.

This year's history topic was Debate & Diplomacy in History” successes, failures, and consequences.  The CCASM special History award went to Madison Scott for her documentary on  “Ouray: Ute Diplomat”.   Madison attends Piccowaxen Middle School.

This year's CCASM Science award for a project "demonstrating excellence and scientific thinking relevant to the field of archaeology" went to Skylan Brassell for her science project on “Filtering Water with Activated Carbon and Moringa Seeds”.  Skylan is in the seventh grade at Theodore G Davis Middle School.




Congratulations, --- Madison and Skylan!


Also CCASM would like to thank Carol Cowherd and Mike Creveling who judged the science projects for the CCASM award.

Recent Work at Mount Calvert Historical and Archaeological Park

Stephanie Sperling

Sean Jones

At the March 10 CCASM Zoom meeting we had two speakers that talked about archaeology done at the Mount Calvert Historical and Archaeological Park that is located on the Patuxent River in Prince George's County.

First Stephanie Sperling gave an overview of the area including past archaeological investigations.  Much of the earlier excavations involved historical sites, especially sites related to taverns.  But more recently the excavations have involved the site of a slave cabin with a reach out to the African American community to be included in these investigations and conversations.  The archaeology also indicates that American Indians occupied the site from the Archaic Period to the Late Woodland Period. 

Next Sean Jones described in detail several excavation units placed next the foundation of the 1780s plantation house that is on the site.  These units gave an insight into the state of the foundation and the soil next to it.  In at least one unit there was no longer mortar between the bricks.  Stabilization of the house is being planned.

Mount Calvert

Stephanie Sperling is a Senior Archaeologist at Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (MNCPPC), and Sean Jones is a Collections Specialist also at MNCPPC.

We would like to thank James Gibb for hosting the Zoom meeting. 

 A snapshot of some of those at the meetings -

 Attendance: 14 people