Changing Fish Exploitation in the Chesapeake

James Gibb

At the January 15 CCASM Meeting Jim Gibb discussed observations from a soon to be published paper (numerous authors) on the changing fish exploitation in 17th- through 20th-Century Chesapeake Bay.  Four of the sites were sites Jim had worked on, and he discussed how and why the animal remains (not just fish) found showed what people were eating changed over time.

The "fish" research was based on data (102,825 identified fish remains) from 252 assemblage—dating to the 17th through early 20th centuries.  Statistical analyses indicated that the Chesapeake’s fisheries diversified beginning in the 18th century, with migratory and freshwater fish taxa becoming increasingly important.  At the same time, assemblages became more taxonomically homogeneous, reflecting the emergence of a locally adapted regional fishing tradition.

Locations/Dates in Study

 
This research was funded by a grant from the H2020 European Research Council (951649) awarded to Dr. James H. Barrett. Contributors: Thomas C.A. Royle (Lead author), Danielle L. Buss, J. Ryan Kennedy, Erin H. Kunisch, Susan Trevarthen Andrews, April M. Beisaw, Hayden A. Bernard, Joanne Bowen, Gregory J. Brown, James G. Gibb, D. Brad Hatch, and Henry M. Miller.  

James G. Gibb is a Smithsonian Research Associate, is associated with Gibb Archaeological Consulting, and is a founding member of CCASM.

Once again this was a hybrid meeting with most of the people and the speaker attending in person.  Thanks to Jim for allowing us to use his Zoom account, and thanks to Peggy and Natalia for providing the hotspot.   

Before the Meeting Started

Attendance: 14  (3 via Zoom)

2026 Public Archaeology Lab Days (Jan-Mar)

CCASM has been working with Charles County at the ongoing Public Archaeology Lab since 2015.  The lab is for processing artifacts recovered from various archaeology initiatives in Charles County -  including artifacts from investigations of sites on County properties, artifacts recovered from savage archaeology in the County, as well as artifacts recovered around the 1970's before the Port Tobacco Courthouse was reconstructed.  Esther Read is the archaeologist in charge.

Location: Courthouse (2nd floor; use South Wing door) and Burch House (both inside and outside) in Historic Port Tobacco Village  map 

  Next dates: 
  Note: (We try to post the latest schedule as soon as we get it - may not get until Monday morning. 
            Being in the field depends on the weather - if it's not raining and not too hot or too cold.)
       
  Monday,    Jan 26   (11am - 3pm) Lab  Snow Day
  Monday,    Feb   2   (11am - 3pm) Lab
  Monday,    Feb   9   (11am - 3pm) Lab
  Monday,    Feb 16   (11am - 3pm) Lab
  Monday,    Feb 23   (11am - 3pm) Lab

Tin-glazed Sherd

Monday January 19 we once again divided up.  Claudia and Malinda continued to work on more recently recovered artifacts at Burch House.  Denise, Elsie, Carol, and Linda were at the Courthouse working on artifacts recovered at Port Tobacco around 1970.  Carol and Linda continued cataloging BF1-BF refined earthenware.  Denise and Elsie completed cataloging all the BF1-BF glassware!! Yay!  Look back through the blog to see how long they have been working on this.
The artifact of the day probably should have been the last BF-BF1 glass artifact catalogued, but instead we chose this tin-glazed rim sherd.  The almost pastel bands were unusual.

Monday January 12 after a long holiday break nine volunteers met at the Port Tobacco Courthouse.  Of course, we had to catch up on what we had been doing.  Then Esther started planning for weekend dates when we might have public archaeology events and also suggested other clean-up projects for the Port Tobacco Village.  After lunch we split up and got to chose which activity we would like to do.  Evie, Claudia, Malinda, and Kathy went to Burch House to finish processing the few remaining artifacts at Burch House.  Carol and Denise stayed in the Courthouse and continued the processing of refined ceramics recovered from BF1-BF.  Ned, Elsie, and Tim joined Esther to walk the shoreline from the causeway to the place where years ago a wooden casket had eroded into the river.  They wanted to mark the location as a reference for an upcoming river restoration project this spring.    

2025 Public Archaeology Lab Days (Oct-Dec) -- 2025 Public Archaeology Lab Days (July-Sep) 
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2024 Public Archaeology Lab Days (Oct-Dec) --2024 Public Archaeology Lab Days (July-Sep) 
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2023 Public Archaeology Lab Days (July-Dec) --2023 Public Archaeology Lab Days (Jan-June)
2022 Public Archaeology Lab Days (July-Dec) --2022 Public Archaeology Lab Days (Feb-Jun)
2021 Public Archaeology Lab Days (Mar-Dec)
2020 Public Archaeology Lab Days (Sep-Dec) --2020 Public Archaeology Lab Days (Jan-Mar)
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