CCASM now has its own Projector

Thanks to money received from several life memberships as well as from other donations, CCASM was able to purchase a Viewsonic projector to use at presentations.

We would like to thank Steve Urquiza for selecting and arranging for CCASM to purchase the projector and a carrying case.  Also thanks to Belinda Urquiza for donating a wireless presentation device to be used with the projector.

Previously when the speaker could not provide a projector, we borrowed one from George Picyk.  So George we would also like to thank you for all the times you were able to help us out.

CCASM sponsors Charles County History Day Award

The 15th Annual Charles County History Day competition was held March 23, 2013.  CCASM sponsored one of the special awards.  Gary Frick represented CCASM at the awards ceremony.

The CCASM award of $50 went to Sufyan Ansari for "An Eye for an Eye: A Turning Point in Criminal and Civil Law.  Sufyan won first place in the Individual Exhibit Category, junior division.  He is in the seventh grade at Mattawoman Middle School. 

Congratulations, Sufyan.

April is Archaeology Month

April is Archaeology Month.   Click to see some of the activities going on around the state.

This link will also take you to an interactive version of this year's poster.  If you click on a projectile point, you will be taken to the description of that point on JPPM's Diagnostic web site.

Check out ASM's Annual Spring Symposium "At Home or Away: A Showcase of Maryland Archeologists".  It will be on Saturday April 13 at Howard Community College.  Click to see the agenda.

Here are some of the activities going on in Charles County

• Ongoing work at Native American site - April 5, 6, and other dates TBD
• Ongoing processing of artifacts recovered from Native American site - Thursday mornings
• April 15-19 - CCASM members will be volunteering with SHA at a historic site near Benedict
• April 20 - JPPM's Discovering Archaeology Day (in Calvert County, but CCASM will have a table there)

Archaeological Assessment now required by Charles County Subdivision Regulations

On March 26, 2013 Charles County Planning and Growth Management issued a notice (Notice #13-04) to clarify applicant responsibilities in meeting Section 55 and Appendix A, 19b of the Charles County Subdivision Regulations.   Section 55 deals with identification of historic and archaeological resources.

Of note, applicants are now required to complete a preliminary archaeological assessment (Phase 1A) which will include records and historic documents research consistent with the Standards and Guidelines for Archaeological Investigations in Maryland.

Click to read the entire notice.

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