2018 ASM FIeld Session - Calverton

May 25 through June 3 the Archeological Society of Maryland, Inc (ASM) along with Maryland Historical Trust (MHT) returned to the Calverton Site in Calvert County Maryland for the 2018 Field Session.  Kirsti Uunilla, the Calvert County Archeologist, was the principal investigator.

The Calverton Site (18CV22) is a multi-component site first occupied by indigenous people in the Woodland Period and later served as the first County Seat for Calvert County until 1724.  Calverton (also known as Battle Town and Calvert Towne) is one of the oldest official ports and towns designated by Lord Baltimore in the Province. 

Looking West from the Eastern Units

Units were reopened in two locations that had been investigated last year.  And the majority of the time excavating was spent in those two areas.  Any artifacts retrieved were washed and bagged at the field lab.  Also a large number of soil flotation samples were collected, and part of them were floated at the site.

Here are photos of three of the artifacts retrieved.

Bone flute(?)

Shoe Fastener

James I shilling

We will have to wait for the report to learn more about the site.

Other activities going on during the Field Session

• Spencer O. Geasey Memorial Lecture
  "Underwater Archeology and the Maryland Maritime Archeology Program"
• Lunchtime talks
• Maritime Archeology 1 and 2, Troy Nowack
• Sub-floor Pits, Patricia Samford
• 17th Century Ceramics, Silas Hurry
• Primitive Technology (Bones),Roy Brown
• Maritime Archeology Demonstrations
  

  

  Monitoring Sidescan Sonar Display

At least two CCASM members attended for multiple days.

CCASM is a chapter of ASM.

New CCASM Officers and Board

The newly elected CCASM Officers and Board Members for June 2018 - May 2020 are

• President                   Carol Cowherd
• Vice-President          Evelyn Wenzel
• Secretary                   Douglas Zabel
• Treasurer                   Elsie Picyk
• Members at Large    Michael Creveling
                                     Peggy Knoernschild

They would definitely appreciate your ideas and your support in implementing those ideas.

Port Tobacco River Conservancy and May Potluck Supper

CCASM's second Potluck Supper was held at Burch House in Historic Port Tobacco Village on Saturday, May 12.  It's always fun to have an excuse to get together and to eat.  And there was a variety of food - all quite delicious.

Tina Wilson and Julie Simpson

Tina Wilson talked about a number of projects being undertaken by the Port Tobacco River Conservancy (PTRC).  Several of the projects deal with the new Charles County Port Tobacco River Park.  And Julie Simpson brought us up to date on the progress of their grant to make the Port Tobacco Jail House Lot more visible.  (CCASM is a partner on this grant.)

After the meeting we walked over to look at the Jail House Lot.  As part of the grant, the invasive plants were removed, and you can actually see the lay of the land.  The sign is still being developed.

The talk was preceded by the annual CCASM business meeting that included the results of the biennial election of the CCASM officers and Board members-at-large.

Attendance: 8

2018 Port Tobacco Market Day

Saturday, May 5, CCASM was one of several non-profits to have tables at The Society for the Restoration of Port Tobacco's Ninth Annual Market Day in Historic Port Tobacco Village.  And there were so many people that stopped by to hear about archaeology and also to share their knowledge of the area.

But this event was really about being a market day, and there were numerous vendors of crafts, vintage items, foods, and plants.  The Charles County Garden Club had its annual plant sale.  And let's not forget the live music.

Thanks to Elsie, Denise, and Carol for representing CCASM.

2018 ASM Spring Symposium

Saturday April 28 the Archeological Society of Maryland held its Annual Spring Symposium at the Maryland Historical Trust in Crownsville, MD.  

The talks at the Symposium included

• ASM Student Spotlight:
  A Methodological Review of Forensic Aviation Archaeology: Addressing International Multi-Organizational Collaboration in Practice
  Siobhan Summers, MAA Student at University of Maryland
     
• The Significance of Small Sites
  Paul Raber, Senior Archaeologist, Heberling Associates, Inc.

       Featuring the Life of Josiah Henson

• In Search of Josiah Henson's Birthplace: Archaeological Investigations at La Grange, Near Port Tobacco, Maryland
  Julie King, Ph.D., St. Mary’s College of Maryland Archaeology Professor
   
• "Truth Stranger Than Fiction" Archaeological Investigations at the Josiah Henson Site, Montgomery County, Maryland
  Cassandra Michaud, MA., RPA, Montgomery Parks
     
• The Iris McGillivray Memorial Lecture: Freedom Seekers: Archaeology at the Uncle Tom’s Cabin Historic Site, Canada
  Dena Doroszenko , Ph.D., Ontario Heritage Trust Archaeologist

• Understanding Coastal Processes and the Chesapeake Archaeological Record
  Darrin L. Lowery, Smithsonian Research Associate
    
• The Richard E. Stearns Memorial Lecture:
  Underwater Archeology (The Monitor National Marine Sanctuary and Merchant Marines)
  David W. Alberg, NOAA National Marine Sanctuary Program 
  

CCASM members attending included Elsie, Pat, Annetta, Carol, and Belinda.

 

CCASM is a chapter of ASM.