Projectile Point Identification, Historical Archaeology, ...

One advantage of being in ASM's Certified Archeological Technician (CAT) Program is attending special workshops.

Saturday January 28 three CAT Workshops were offered -- Projectile Point and Lithics Identification conducted by Carol Ebright, Overview of Historic Archaeology conducted by Jim Gibb, and Laboratory Techniques conducted by Rebecca Morehouse.  Alex McPhail gave a short presentation on CAT Journal best practices, and Cynthia Goode of  American University talked about the Great Dismal Swamp Landscape Study Project.

Below are the CCASM members that traveled to Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum to participate in the workshops.

Jim, Carol. Elsie, Josh, Barbara, Belinda

CCAS is a chapter of the Archeological Society of Maryland (ASM).

18th Century Port Tobacco

Carol Cowherd

At the January 12 meeting Carol Cowherd talked about the search for the original 1729 layout of Charles Town, locally known as Port Tobacco.  This was in support of archaeology being done in the area.  Carol is the President of CCASM.

This was also our first time meeting at the Police Department.  We had plenty of room, as can be seen in the photos.  However, the parking lot indicated was also used by restaurant patrons.   For future reference, parking is also available on the north side of the building (but not in the back where the police cars park), and on the street.

Attendance: ~22

New Location and Day of Month for Meetings

CCASM was able to find a larger meeting room.  So starting January 12, 2012, we will be meeting in the Community Meeting Room at the

    Town of La Plata Police Department
    101 La Grange Ave, La Plata, MD
    Click to find Town of La Plata Police Department on Map

The change in location also required us to change the day of the month on which we meet.

The new day of the month is the 2nd Thursday.

The time is still 7:00 pm.

Parking is in the lot across from La Grange Avenue.  Please do not park in the area reserved for police cars.

For those long-time residents, this is the old La Plata Post Office.

Riley Tract in Rock Creek Park

Tom Forhan

At the December 7 meeting Tom Forhan told about the work he had done in Rock Creek Park.  Before the government acquired the land for Rock Creek Park in 1890, the area was farmed by a diverse group of landowners and tenants, including 100 acres owned by William Riley.  His talk highlighted cultural landscapes and the wilderness.  Tom is the Vice President of Archeological Society of Maryland, Inc.

Only thirteen people braved the weather and the traffic delays to hear Tom's talk.  Sometimes rain came down so hard it sounded like the station roof might give out.


Attendance: 14

Discovering the Piscataway Fort

Dr. King

At the November 2 meeting Dr. Julia King, Anthropology Professor at Saint Mary's College of Maryland, told about discovering the late seventeenth century Piscataway Indian Fort in the Charles County Zekiah Swamp.

Dr. King described several sites on the Wicomico River and in the Zekiah Swamp that she and her students have investigated over the last three years and how this past summer she thinks they have found the Zekiah Fort.  They did not find a palisade during their limited field session.  However, artifacts indicate that this was a contact period site, and the location makes sense.

Trade Beads
found at site

Attendance: 35