CCASM at the Library

Thursday October 10 Barbara Kane, representing CCASM, took the archeobotany seed activity to the Waldorf West Library as part of the Library's afternoon programs for children 6-11.  Patricia Bowie read a story about Sacagawea, and Barbara related the "Tale of the Three Sisters" that explained why the Native American planted corn, beans, and squash together.  Then the children had to find and identify seeds of corn, various beans, squash, cornflower, and onion.  The seeds found were taped to a sheet that the children could take home.  Barbara was assisted by her niece Debora Storey.

Excavations at a Classic Mayan Site

Tom Forhan

In the summer of 2012 Tom Forhan was part of an archaeological investigation of a Classic Mayan site Maax Na (“Spider-Monkey House”) in Belize.  At the October 10 CCASM meeting Tom described his experiences of surveying a mile-long transect through the jungle as well as the living conditions of those participating in the project.  The project was a collaborative research venture between Howard University and Bowdoin College.

Attendance: 18

Thanks again Annetta

Once again Annetta Schott, one of CCASM's members, has donated items to the Charles County Archaeological Society of Maryland, Inc.  There were two interesting books as well as a number of publications and journals that will be added to our library.  The picture on right shows these as well as a whetstone, line level ruler, compass, and loupe.  Not pictured are various office supplies such as pencils, pens, and rulers.

CCASM would like to thank Annetta for all her her donations.  All the books and publications in the CCASM Library have been donated by Annetta.  Click to see Library listings

So thanks again Annetta.

2013 Nanjemoy Heritage Day

On Saturday September 21 CCASM once again was at Nanjemoy Heritage Day.  The day started with a parade, and there were crafts, Native American dances, horses to ride, representative for all sorts of organizations, and food.

CCASM had two tables indoors. For adults CCASM had the Port Tobacco display with its examples of prehistoric and early historic artifacts, the Telling Time posters, and the Maryland Projectile Point posters.  For hands-on there was an identify-the-prehistoric-artifact box, and the ever-popular seed activity. 

Lots of people stopped at our tables.  Barbara and Peggy were busy assisting children with the seed activity.  Elsie and Carol spent more time talking about the displays and CCASM activities.  And Joshua was able to get there just in time to help us pack up.

Thanks to Elsie, Barbara, Peggy, and Carol for representing us.  Also thanks to Joshua for coming by to help.

Finding 17th Century Chapel in St. Francis Xavier Cemetery

Jim Gibb

Dr. Jim Gibb of Gibb Archaeological Consulting and others have been looking for the 1662 Jesuit Chapel in the cemetery of St. Francis Xavier Cemetery in Newtown (St. Mary's County).  At the CCASM September 12 Meeting Jim described the work done at the site while highlighting the results from this summer's field session.  There were images of features in the ground as well as artifacts that provided strong evidence for the location of the 17th Century earthfast chapel as well as of a nearby domestic structure that may have been occupied by the Jesuits.  The final report is still in progress.

This summer's session was a collaborative project of the Archaeology Society of Maryland and the St. Francis Xavier Parish.  Jim indicated that he along with those camping at the site had fun.  Several CCASM members participated in the Field Session.

Attendance: 11