2012 Nanjemoy Heritage Day

On Saturday September 22 CCASM was at Nanjemoy Heritage Day.  There were lots of families as well as nice music, crafts, antique cars, and more.

CCASM had two tables.  One of the tables was more for adults.  Lots of people stopped to look at the displays and to talk.   Two people even brought artifacts to show us.  We also handed out cards with questions and answers that the older children seemed to like.  The other table was for children.  The activities around "what trash can tell us" as well as excavating from plastic bins captured the children's attention.   

Thanks to Elsie, Josh, Barbara K, and Rich for representing us.  Elsie and Josh mainly tended the adult table, while Barbara and Rich worked with the children.  (If you see Rich, ask him about chocolate cake mix.)

Investigating Native American Site in Charles County

CCASM tries to provide opportunities for members to participate in and to contribute to archaeological projects.  Dr. James Gibb of Gibb Archaeological Consulting in Ananpolis, MD has agreed to work with CCASM to investigate a Native American site near Bryans Road here in Charles County.  (Jim is donating his time, etc.)
We will be working on private property - approximately 10 acres.  The project will be spread out over several months.  There is a research design for the project, and there will be a final report.  Also there should be lots of opportunity to dig, screen, wash artifacts, identify artifacts, and maybe even to do some surveying.


Work done through June 2012 (in reverse chronological order).
On June 10 we moved into the northern part of the site and continued to dig STP's.  We found one potential feature.  We returned there on June 16 and again on June 23.  Being in the shade of the trees is really nice.  We did at least one transect each day.  And the road and marshline were surveyed.

June 10

June 16

We completed STP's in the first area on March 4 and started in the second area on March 11.

March 11 (Note that the weather is much warmer)

March 4

The work on the site started Saturday, February 25, when eight people braved the cold (and wind) to dig shovel test pits (STPs).  We found ceramic sherds, fire-cracked rocks, flakes, and some artifacts that were more recent.  One of the best ways to learn is by doing, and this was a great opportunity to learn.

Screening and Digging STPs

More Screening and Digging

Describing Soil in STP

Recording Locations of STPs

War of 1812 at Elk's Landing - 2012 ASM Field Session

Jim Gibb

At the September 13 Jim Gibb of Gibb Archaeological Consulting presented the results of work done during the 2012 ASM Field Session while looking for the War of 1812 embankment at Elk’s Landing in Cecil County Maryland. Both non-invasive ground penetrating radar and excavation was done at the site.  First he presented the historical evidence for the location of a War of 1812 embankment at Elk's Landing, and then he proceeded to show the results from the 2012 ASM Field School Session that confirms its location.

Attendance: 11

Continuing to Look for St. Francis Xavier Jesuit Chapel

Scott Lawrence and Dr. James Gibb are continuing to look for the 1661/2 Jesuit Chapel in the St. Francis Xavier Cemetery at Newtown, St. Mary's County.   5' x 5' units are being excavated.  The site is completely clear and is situated away from known burials.

CCASM members are welcome to participate.  

Next dates they will be at site           check weather forecast
TBD    8am-4pm, but it is not necessary to volunteer for the whole day.

Contact Scott for more specific information.

St. Francis Xavier Cemetery
21370 Newtowne Neck Road
Leonardtown, MD 20650 

To see the report on the previous work done at the site  Search for Newtowne Chapel Report - May 2012

Tour of Shuter's Hill Excavation Site

On Saturday August 11, 2012, CCASM members Barbara Kane, Joshua Eller, Rich Gorski, Phil Angle, Elsie Picyk, and George Picyk toured the Shuter's Hill Excavation Site that is on the grounds of the George Washington Masonic Memorial in Alexandria, VA.   The tour was led by City Archaeologist Garrett Fesler.

Shuter's Hill is the largest piece of undeveloped land in Alexandria.  It appeared to be about 15-20 acres.  In the 20th Century a golf course was built on part of the property.  That and re-grading associated with the construction of the Masonic Memorial may have impacted some of the archaeological deposits.  Archival research indicates a late 18th Century plantation house and associated structures and two 19th Century houses.  The property also includes the site of two civil war forts.  The site of one fort - Fort Ellsworth - was partially destroyed when a 20th Century apartment building was constructed over part of it.  Also there is some limited evidence of prehistoric occupation -- some points but only one piece of prehistoric pottery.

For the last couple of years Alexandria Archaeology has been excavating an area that includes the 1850’s house that was built partially over the site of the 18th Century laundry.  Work on the Laundry is particularly interesting because in general there have been limited archaeological investigations of laundries.  Ground penetrating radar survey and STP’s conducted in the past have not identified the location of the other 2 houses.

CCASM sponsored the tour.
Thanks to Elsie for this posting and Barbara for the photos.
 
Alexandria Archaeology has been investigating the Shuter's Hill site since 1995.  Click for more information about the site - Shuter's Hill Brochure