2013 ASM/MHT Workshop

The Maryland Historical Trust and the Archeological Society of Maryland, Inc hosted the 22nd Annual Workshop in Archeology on March 23.

In addition to the sessions, there was plenty of time to talk to others who were also interested in archaeology.  Here are a couple of our members during the lunch break-

But if you are interested in what talks were given, here is an overview--

This year’s keynote speaker was Dr. Stephen R. Potter, regional archaeologist with the National Park Service for the National Capital Region.  Dr. Potter who talked about what archaeological research has discovered about the Battle of Antietam, including the discovery of forgotten Confederate regiments.

Other sessions included

•  a workshop on tin-glazed earthenware by Patricia Samford
•  a workshop on equestrian artifacts of the Mid-Atlantic by Sara Rivers-Cofield
•  a primer on GPS and conventional survey procedures by Bill Stephens 
•  the Wreck of the Levin J. Marvel by John Ward
•  Marlinspike seamanship by Wes Sullivan, a profession tall ship rigger (limited to 20)
•  manufacture of Slate Tools by Dan Coates
•  overview of Biggs Ford, site of annual ASM/MHT field session, by Charlie Hall
•  CAT (Certified Archaeological Technician) Workshops on Law and on Ethics

Archaeology at Shuter's Hill in Alexandria

Garret Fesler

At the March 14 CCASM meeting Garret Fesler reviewed the archaeology that Alexandria Archaeology has done at Shuter's Hill since 1995.  Archival research indicates that Shuter’s Hill was the site of an 18th century plantation house, two 19th century houses as well as the site of two Civil War forts.   Alexander Archaeology encourages volunteers to help with the excavations.  They hope to start looking for the large 18th century plantation house that burned after they finish excavating a laundry house associated with that house.  Numerous pictures exist showing a Civil War encampment on the site that included one of the 19th century houses.  There's a lot going on and a lot more to investigate.

Click to see the posting on CCASM's trip to Shuter's Hill in 2012 as well as additional information about the site.

Rich Gorski

For this meeting we had an additional speaker.  Rich Gorski is currently participating in the citizen-scientist program at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center.  Rich described the archaeology that is being done at the Sellman's Homestead as well as what the data is telling them.

 Attendance: 10

Projectile Points on JPPM Website

Projectile Points have been added to the "Diagnostic Artifacts in Maryland" section of the Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum website.   If you have never used the Diagnostic Artifacts website, you should check it out.  It definitely helps in the identification of many of the types of artifacts found in Maryland.

The projectile point section may not answer all your questions, but it is a good start. 

What’s Happening in Calvert County Archaeology

Kirsti Uunila

At the February 14 CCASM meeting Kirsti Uunila indicated the ways archaeology was "happening" in Calvert County - everything from mandated Cultural Resource Management to accidental discovery.  Kirsti who is the Historic Preservation Planner for Calvert County Planning and Zoning is also an archaeologist and would welcome volunteers to work with her. 

Since it was Valentine's Day, Kirsti included images of artifacts with hearts on them from some of the Calvert County sites.  Also you may notice the roses in the pictures.  Joshua provided the roses.

Kirsti thought the following links to some historic maps would be of interest to us.

       Historic maps, some of which include portions of Charles County

       The main Calvert County Maps page with many options

 

 

And once again Annetta donated books to CCASM.  We will be putting a list of the books that CCASM has on-line soon.  The books are available for reference and for members to borrow.

 Attendance: 17

Processing Artifacts from Native American Site in Charles County

At last we have finished the processing of the artifacts in the Shovel Test Pit (STP) phase.   On January 31  Peggy, Josh and Carol finished processing the artifacts from the one unit that was west of the road.

Carol has entered all the data into the Excel spreadsheet, and Jim has input the location of all the STPs into Auto cad.  Now we just have to come up with a plan for the next phase.  We need to start work soon since we will be losing access to the property.

Thursday Jan 17 Peggy, Carole, Carol, and Josh  finished sorting the last of the artifacts recovered from the site.  (Yea!!!)  Once these have been cataloged Jim will be able to determine where excavation units would be useful in helping us understand the site. 
(We still have a little more work processing the STPs and the one unit done on the west of the road, but no additional excavation is to be done in that area.)

Thursday Jan 10 Elsie, Peggy, Carole, Carol, and Josh were able to finish sorting, etc. three more transects.  Still three more transects and one excavation unit to go.

Saturday December 8 we finished washing all the remaining artifacts from the STPs.  Elsie, Barbara R, Peggy, Carol, and Josh all helped.  Josh showed us the information he had gathered about a "barn" site.   We even had time to start processing artifacts from one of the transects that had been washed in November.  We lost track of time and worked an extra hour.  And once again I forgot to take any photos.

Friday morning November 9 Elsie, Carol, and Josh finished washing the artifacts from the STP's that have been dug to date.  And there was still time to finished sorting, counting, and weighing all the remaining artifacts that were dry.  Carol got excited when she washed a really good example of a Pope's Creek pottery sherd.  The exterior was net-impressed and was decorated with two parallel finger swipes.  The interior was combed.  Here are some photos.  Click to learn more about Pope's Creek pottery

Pope's Creek - exterior
(net-impressed with finger swipes)

Pope's Creek - interior
(combed)

Thursday morning October 4 Carol S., Elsie, Josh, Peggy, and Carol continued with processing the artifacts from the northern site.  Then Wednesday morning October 10 Peggy and Carol worked on the artifacts and talked about identifying lithics and about bonobos. 

Friday morning September 28 we washed the last of the artifacts from the southern part of the site.   It only took about an hour to complete the washing.  So we pulled out all our cataloging stuff and began sorting, counting, and weighing the artifacts from the northern part of the site.  Once again I forgot to take pictures of those helping (Barbara K., Carol, Elsie, and Rich). 

The artifacts from the STP's dug in June were washed on Sunday August 5.  Thankfully we were able to be indoors.  Barbara K. Barbara R., Carol and Rich helped wash.  Below is a picture of Barbara R. holding up the last bag.  Now we just need to sort them.

The Last Bag (June) - Barbara R. and Rich

On June 23 we started sorting, counting, and weighing the artifacts.  All the STP's in Transect A were completed.  Since we completed digging Transect M the day before, we have a way to go.  I forgot to take pictures of those helping (Barbara K. Barbara R., Carol, Elsie, and Josh), but here are a few pictures of the sorted artifacts.

As many of you know a derecho went through Charles County early June 30, and many of us were without power (unless we had a generator).  So only Steve and Carol showed up to catalog artifacts. Since there was no air conditioning, they gave up around noon.  Even so they were able to complete the processing of three transects.  Also Carol found a fragment of what appears to be a soapstone bowl.

On July 8 only Steve and Carol showed up again but they were able to complete processing all the artifacts that have been washed to date.  We still need to wash about artifacts from four transects.