2023 Annual Field Sesion

The Archaeological Society of Maryland, Inc (ASM) in cooperation with the Maryland Historical Trust (MHT) held their 52th Field Session May 19 - May 29, 2023, at the Chapel Branch West Site in Denton, Caroline County, Maryland.   Once again Dr. Julie Markin, Associate Professor of Anthropology at Washington College, was the principal investigator.  Julie was assisted by MHT archaeologists Matt McKnight, Zac Singer, and Stephanie Soder.

Julie Markin with Zac Singer

The Chapel Branch West Site near the Choptank River is a pre-Colonial site that is right next to the colonial Barwick’s Ordinary site we investigated last year.  The site that  is shaded by trees, and the moderate weather made this a really enjoyable field session.  Of course, a Field Session is to gain information about the site.  During the 2022 Field Session, a shovel test pit survey documented a buried living surface below the plow zone.  This Field Session was to investigate that buried layer. 

Chapel Branch West Site

We tended to work in only a small area and will have to wait for the report when all the data is pulled together to see the bigger picture.   There was plenty of opportunities to dig, trowel, map, document, work in the lab, and screen whether it was your first time or hundredth time.  There  were lots of opportunities to screen.  But the Field Session also gave us a chance to reconnect with old friends, and to meet new people.  

Since this site is on the Eastern Shore, we encountered pottery not found in Charles County -- grog-tempered Coulbourne,  various tempered Minguannan, at least one piece of rock tempered Vinette, and other unidentified sherds -- as well as some shell tempered Townsend which is found in Charles County.  The points encountered were triangular.  And the predominate lithic material was chert - a number of different types.

Troweling
(Carol and Evelyn)

Unidentified Sherd
(recovered by Carol)

Point
(recovered by Pat)

 

 

It's always good to learn something new whether in the field leaning how to trowel or by attending talks and workshops at the Field Session.  There were two CAT Workshops -- (1)Legal & Ethics and (2)Mapping. There were also two hands-on lunchtime talks.  Lynn Bulhack talked about interpreting ceramics.  (You could also visit with Lynn at the lab tent where she used Sculpey to make impression of the surface of sherds.)   Zac Singer gave an overview of Maryland projectile points and passed around examples for us to view.

The annual Spencer O Geasey Memorial Lecture was given by Dr. Zac Singer, State Terrestrial Archaeologist, who provided example of ceramics that would be found on the Eastern Shore.  That was followed by Dr. Julie Markin giving an an update on what was found last year's field session at Barwick's Ordinary.

Children on site

 

This year there was a special session for children (limited to ten children) on Saturday morning that was organized by the Eastern Shore Chapter.  This photo is not from the special session, but shows some of the children that stayed for the afternoon.

And a Field Session wouldn't be complete without the annual Saturday night "feast".  The property owners provided all the food and drinks in their backyard overlooking the river.   A special thanks to the property owner, not only for the feast, but for all they did to accommodate those at the field session and those camping as well as for their on-going support.

While thanking people, another special thanks to the ASM members that helped make this Field Session happen - from planning to registration to getting t-shirts to taking care of the lab to .... all the behind-the-scene things that need to happen.   You do so much.  Thanks.

Three CCASM members (Pat, Evelyn, and Carol) attended the field session for multiple days, but not necessarily the same days.

CCASM is a chapter of ASM.

Blacksmithing Demonstration and Potluck Lunch

CCASM held its fourth Potluck meal on Saturday May 13 at Ned Edelen's house near Bryantown.  It's always fun to have an excuse to get together and to eat.  And there was a variety of food - all quite delicious.  Also how often do you get a chance to watch a blacksmith working?

Looking at Dollhouse
Information

Prior to the lunch most of us checked out Ned's "museum" - quite interesting.  Sort of like being in your grandmother's attic or your grandfather's barn.  And everyone had to check out the dollhouse that is a replica of Sunnyside (CH-214) as it was in 1916.

As at most potlucks, there was more than enough food.

Entrees, sides, etc
(after most people
had served themselves)

Desserts
(before most people
had served themselves)

After we finished eating, the annual CCASM business meeting was held.  Thirteen members were present.  There were also six guests.

Some of those at Meeting

Others at Meeting

Ned Edelen

The meeting was followed by a short walk to the garage where Ned Edelen talked about blacksmithing and the various tools involved.  Then Ned demonstrated how to make nails, a three-link chain, and a "heart" puzzle.  Each introduced us to a different aspect of blacksmithing . Ned had two copies of a puzzle he had made that people could try to solve while he worked- some solved it quickly, others didn't.

Here are several photos from the demonstrations.

Some of those attending demonstrations

Talking about
Blacksmithing

Describing how
to make a Chain

Making a Nail

Making the"Heart" Puzzle

"Heart "Puzzle

Thanks to Frank and Pat for some of the photos.

Archaeology on School Visits to Port Tobacco (Spring 2023)

The numbers of stops for visits of Charles County School second graders to the Historic Port Tobacco Village has now been expanded to include "archaeology" at the James Swann Site.  The County has recently acquired this property where a free African American had an inn and oyster house in the mid 1800's.

Esther Read,  Charles County Archaeologist, has planned age-appropriate activities to introduce the students to archaeology and to the site.  CCASM members will be assisting. 

The Wednesday, May 10, school visit was the last one for this school year.  There were nineteen 2nd graders, and we used the same procedure as last Monday but with different helpers.  Once again Charlie took half the children to Stagg Hall.  But Esther gave the introduction to archaeology.   Denise, Elsie, and Carol helped with the artifact washing while Ned and Kathleen from Charles County Preservation helped with the vesselization. 

Waiting for the children to arrive
(shows the 3 different stations)

On Monday, May 8,  seventeen 2nd graders were divided into two groups. While Charlie from Charles County Tourism took half the children to Stagg Hall, the remainder stayed with us in front of the Courthouse.  First, Linda gave a child's level introduction to archaeology.  Then each child got a chance to wash artifacts and to try to find pottery sherds that pieced together.  Malinda, Elsie, and Carol helped with the artifact washing while Ned, Kathy, and Esther helped with the vesselization.  Next the two groups swapped. 

On Monday, May 1, we had to adjust plans for the elementary school students’ visit. Heavy rain over the weekend prevented students from touring the Swann House Site due to wet conditions. So Esther and Linda did presentations to the students inside the courthouse. Then they came outside where Elsie, Denise, Ned, Linda, and Esther helped the students assemble pottery sherds (vesselization) on the benches.

On Wednesday, April 19--

Unit in foreground.
Wash Table in background.

A Screaming Good Time had at James Swann House Site. 

A 3x3’ test unit was set up for the 2nd graders.  Twenty-one children were divided into four groups. 
Esther ran the excavation of the test unit. Linda ran the wash table. Ned ran the two sifting screens. Doug filled in as needed, and brought dirt to be screened. We all had fun. The kids were great at finding oyster shell, brick, and pottery sherds.

Thanks to Ned for info and Picture

 

2023 Market Day and Public Archaeology

Saturday, May 6, The Society for the Restoration of Port Tobacco held its Fourteenth Annual Market Day at the Port Tobacco Courthouse.  As in previous years there were tables with a diversity of things to buy including lots of plants and also tables with information about various non-profit groups in the County.     Attendees also could listen to performances by several local musical groups.  

Once again CCASM had a table on the south side of the Courthouse.  CCASM's largest display highlighted archaeology done at Port Tobacco.  The activity this year involved identifying various types of Native American artifacts.  There were lots of visitors to the table, and we even got two new members.  Those representing CCASM at various times during the day were Linda, Denise, Pat, Peggy, Carol, and Claudia.

Assisting young boy with
Identifying Artifacts

Talking about Archaeology
and CCASM

Just catching up

We also directed people to the two other locations highlighting archaeology in the Village.  The main draw was the Public Archaeology at the Swann House Site that was southwest of the Courthouse.   CCASM members Mary, Elsie, and Steve along with four UMBC students assisted the public at the site while Esther Read told the story of James Swann and the site, but also talked about archaeology.  We were investigating a 3'x5' unit in the "chimney fall" area that keeps getting stranger and stranger.  Work continued on the unit after Market Day ended with Ned and Pat joining the other CCASM members already volunteering on the site.

Sifting mostly brick related debitage

Telling the story of James Swann
and the site

We also directed people to the Blacksmith Site the was north of the Agricultural Heritage Museum.  CCASM member Ned talked about that site and blacksmithing in general, but also provided information about putting tobacco in hogsheads and other farming information for the handful of people who made there way to the Museum.

At the Blacksmith Site

Thanks to Linda, Denise, Peggy, Pat, and Carol for representing CCASM and to Claudia for assisting at the CCASM table.
Thanks to Mary, Elsie, and Steve for helping Esther at the dig. 
And thanks to Ned for all he did at the Blacksmith Site and the Museum.
That's a lot of people helping to make this outreach opportunity a success.  So a lot of thanks.

Also thanks to Frank and Pat for providing some of the photos.

Volunteering for "Maxwell Hall: Discovering and Raising New Voices"

The Friends of Maxwell Hall recently received a grant titled "Maxwell Hall: Discovering and Raising New Voices: Phase I".  The goal is to learn more about the African/African American experience at Maxwell Hall. The first half of the project is archival and landscape research headed by Esther Read. The second half is a community outreach headed by Cathy Thompson to locate descendants of those who lived and worked at Maxwell Hall in an effort to tell a more complete story and to build relationships with the community.

CCASM members will be providing volunteer hours (counted as $29.95/hr in-kind match) for the archaeological part of the grant working with Esther Read as the Project Investigator.  

Locations: Maxwell Hall Park Equestrian Area and  Maxwell Hall
                  Hughesville, MD (but near Benedict,MD)  map

                 
Esther Read submitted the interim archaeology report to Maryland Historical Trust in May and is waiting for approval for archaeological investigations.

Thursday, May 4, CCASM members Elsie, Pat, and Ned joined Esther at the Maxwell Hall Equestrian Park.  We found the remnants of the other tenant house today in the woods near the collapsed roof on the beach.  We also found two bottles.  One a Hiram Walker and Sons Limited of Walkersville, Canada whiskey flask. The other a Sprite soda bottle with Isle Royale National Park printed on the base, produced 1966 to 1978 by the Coca Cola Co. for the National Parks. This bottle was made by Owens Illinois Glass. 

  

On the Pautuxent

Whiskey Flask

Thanks to Esther for the info and to Pat and Ned for the photos.

Monday, March 20, CCASM members Ned, Denise, Elsie, Mary, Peggy, and Carol joined Esther and volunteer Malinda to walk the woods in Maxwell Hall Equestrian Park starting at a location that may have been the site of Mount Arundell.  We were looking for evidence of possible outbuildings and graveyards that historical records indicated were associate with the house.  Recently Frank Robinson, a local landowner and historian, had walked with Esther through the Park and talked about the area history of which he was aware.  Mount Arundell was burned by the British in 1814.    

Flagging Area of Interest

On Monday March 6, CCASM members Elsie, Ned, and Denise along with volunteers Malinda, Claudia, and Ron joined Esther Read at Maxwell Hall to continue the search for additional buildings on the site.  Using three metal detectors we investigated the area from the pavilion to the end of the adjacent barn and set flags where the detectors indicated there might be metal.  After lunch we excavated a 3'x3' test unit near the pavilion and then dug and sifted dirt at the flag locations.   
Thanks to Claudia and Ned for the photos and to Ned and Elsie for the info.

 

After being away for several months Esther and CCASM members Elsie, Ned, and Carol returned to Maxwell Hall on Monday February 13 to try to look for other locations where there might have been slave quarters.  Since often all that is left of slave quarters and outbuildings is nails, we decided to "metal detect".  Ned provided two metal detectors.  It was the first time for Elsie and Carol to use one.  We started out learning to use the detectors next to a barn that had lots of nails and so many chances to find metal.  Then we moved to a site Esther had identified as a possible location, but we only found one nail.  So the search continues.

Monday November 15 CCASM members Denise, Elsie, Ned, and Carol volunteering with Esther continued excavating in the back yard.  Additional STPs were dug and additional work was done on the "shell" unit to remove the shell feature.  It appears that the shells are a garden feature - shells that were added around a planting in an effort to recreate a colonial garden.

Saturday, November 12 The Friends of Maxwell Hall had a special event for the project.  Community members with a family connection to the Benedict area were able to share their stories about the African American experience in the area and also were able to participate in public archaeology.
CCASM members Elsie, Mary, and Ned were joined by Tiara to volunteer with Esther.  Note that we had to use brushes and wooden tools to excavate the "shell" unit.

Thanks to Ned for the info and photos.

Not sure what Else found,
but she flagged it.

 
Wednesday October 26 Ned and Elsie joined Esther to walk part of a soybean field in Maxwell Hall Equestrian Park.  We had been waiting for the soybeans to be harvested before we could do a controlled surface collection of the field.  We found a large area of lithic scatter (flakes, broken points, ...) that we documented, but there is still a lot of area to cover.

Thanks to Ned for the info and photo.

Monday October 18 we moved from the Equestrian Park to the House.  Esther with the help of Elsie, Ned, Mary, and Carol started putting in STPs on the side and in the back yard (the side away from the River) of Maxwell Hall.  This was in preparation for an event to promote gathering more information for the grant,  The event would include a public archaeology component, and we were looking for a possible feature to excavate on that day.  And we found one--a possible midden with lots of oysters.  Twelve STPs were dug.

Working on first STPs

Mary with STP that
came down on a feature

On Monday August 29 we tried to continue investigating the Pautuxent River shoreline on the property behind Maxwell Hall that is adjacent to the Maxwell Hall Equestrian Park.  It was supposed to be low tide (0.7ft at 10:23am).  Mary, Linda, and Carol had walked the shoreline back in March 2021.  However, when Mary, Elsie, Linda, Denise, Ned, Carol, and Esther arrived at the River's edge, there was no walkable shoreline.  So we had to regroup.  Actually most of us left after lunch, but Ned and Esther investigated a wooded area in the Equestrian Park

Deciding what to do next

Thanks to Ned for the photo.

On Monday August 1 we finally got to go into the field to investigate the Pautuxent River shoreline at Maxwell Hall Equestrian Park.  It wasn't raining.  It wasn't too hot.  And low tide was around noon.   Denise, Joe, Peggy, Linda, Mary, Elsie, and Ned joined Esther Read to walk the beach to about 1/4 mile up and about 1/4 mile down from the beach access road.  Some wore boots. Others old shoes. Most walked the beach, but Ned wore long pants and walked closer to the bank in the tall abrasive grass.  We located one historic site and three probably indigenous shell middens, and Esther documented the sites with GPS.  It was a great day.

Thanks to Ned for the info and photos.