Looking for the Original Mt. Aventine(s)

Laura Cripps

At the March 8 meeting Dr Laura Cripps described a multidisciplinary project  undertaken by archaeology and history professors and students at Howard Community College.   The original Mt. Aventines located in Chapman State Park in western Charles County were investigated.  The archaeological part of the project involved using non-invasive archaeological methods (magnetometer) to start identifying some of the eighteenth-century features associated with Mt. Aventine.  The history part involved doing archival research.   Laura is an Assistant Professor of Anthropology/Geography at Howard Community College.

Laura describing use of magnetometer at site

Below are the winners of the raffle for the Archeological Society of Maryland, Inc classic t-shirts.

Peggy

Barbara

Attendance: 27

Thank You for the Curatorial Bags

Andrew Garte of Garte & Associates in Shady Side, Maryland, has donated 2800 curatorial bags of different sizes to Charles County Archaeological Society of Maryland, Inc.

Various Bag Sizes

CCASM would like to thank Andrew for his donation that will allow us to upgrade our collections to the standards established by the Maryland Historical Trust. 

Thank you for your support.

Westwood Manor - Being Fashionable in the 17th Century

Patricia Samford

At the February 9 meeting Patricia Samford talked about the reanalysis of artifacts excavated in 1996 at Westwood Manor in Charles County.  Of all the interesting artifacts found, Patricia's interest in one artifact, a decorated ivory handle of a walking stick, led her to learn more about fashion in Maryland in the 17th Century.  So the title "Walking Softly and Carrying a Big Stick: Being Fashionable on Maryland’s Western Shore in the Late 17th-Century.  Patricia is the Director of the Maryland Archaeological Conservation Lab at Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum.

The reanalysis was done by Julia King's students at St Mary's College. Patricia also brought a copy of the report.

The Artifact

The Report

A few of the People

Attendance: 24 including 2 young boys

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