2022 Annual Field Session

The Archaeological Society of Maryland, Inc (ASM) in cooperation with the Maryland Historical Trust (MHT) held their 51th Field Session May 20 through May 30 at the Barwick's Ordinary Site in Denton, Maryland (Caroline County).   This Field Session also coincided with the first week of Washington College's Field School at the site.  Dr. Julie Markin, Associate Professor of Anthropology at Washington College, was the principal investigator.

Matt McKnight and Julie Markin

The Barwick's Ordinary Site (18CA261) consists of the remains of the mid to late 18th-century tavern and home of James Barwick.  Historic deeds relate that a "complex" consisting of a tobacco warehouse, storehouse, apple orchard, ferry landing, and tavern/ordinary was situated at this location along the Choptank River.  This complex served as the first county seat of Caroline County, and James Barwick was employed as its caretaker. 

Previous geophysical surveys by MHT and ground truthing by Washington College and ASM volunteers indicated that a well-preserved, artifact rich, mid-late 18th Century site was present.  During this Field Session the features associated with the large cellar feature and the possible privy as well as other possible features were investigated.  A lot of plow zone was screened.  Also STPs were dug on additional property belonging to the Smiths and their neighbor.  In addition to the lab tent on site, there was a lab in nearby Greensboro that came in handy the day the rains came. 

Barwick's Ordinary Site

The above photo doesn't reflect all the people who were on the site.  In addition to a large number of ASM volunteers, Washington College students, and other Field Session volunteers on the site,  every day there were additional people (families, friends of the property owners, Caroline County Commissioners, ...) who came by to see what was going on.  And some of them actually stayed and helped screen.   

Although  most of the artifacts recovered were historic, there were also some Native American artifacts recovered.  There were lots of other interesting artifacts recovered that I didn't photograph.

Whieldon Ware Plate Rim

exterior                       interior
possible Wolfe Neck ceramics

At least one CCASM member attended for multiple days.

CCASM is a chapter of ASM.