April declared Charles County Archaeology Month (2020)

At a virtual meeting the Charles County Commissioners proclaimed the month of April as Archaeology Month in Charles County (to coincide with Maryland Archaeology Month).  The proclamation sites the rich history and heritage of Charles County, exemplified by historic buildings, cultural landmarks, natural features, and local rituals.  It also recognizes that the county is enhanced by historic preservation associations, groups, and professionals who donate countless hours and dollars to preserve that history.

Unlike previous years the proclamation was mailed to CCASM, and there is no picture with the Commissioners.  Usually CCASM gives each of the Commissioners a Maryland Archaeology Month poster and booklet, but that will need to be sent later when things start to open up again.

1988, 1989 Field Sessions at Chapel Point

As we continue to look at the previous Field Sessions conducted in Charles County by ASM and MGS/MHT, here is information about the Chapel Point Field Sessions.

Chapel Point (18CH79)
The Chapel Point Site includes an Early and Late Archaic short-term camp, an Early-Late Woodland shell midden, and an 17th-19th century cemetery.

In 1988 and 1889 ASM and MGS conducted two ten-day Field Sessions at the site with the investigations led by  Dennis Curry and Maureen Kavanagh.  The site was selected due to the severe erosion of the shell midden deposits where a bluff overlooked the Port Tobacco River.  The primary source of the shell midden appears to date to the Popes Creek cultural period.

Since we are highlighting partnerships, here are some photos of people participating in the Field Sessions.  (Can you identify any of the people in the photos?  Remember it's around 1988.  I do recognize one person.)

Source: Dennis Curry

Source: Dennis Curry

Source: Dennis Curry

Source: MHT Office of Archaeology

Source: Dennis Curry

To see an overview of all Field Sessions - https://mdarchaeology.github.io/Annual-Field-Sessions/
(Note: only forty-nine are listed since the fiftieth is to be some time this year -hopefully.)

1985 Field Session at Popes Creek

This year's theme for Maryland Archaeology Month is "Partners in Pursuit of the Past: 50 Field Sessions in Maryland Archeology".  The theme is highlighting the those involved in the Fields Sessions sponsored by the Archeological Society of Maryland(ASM) and the Maryland Historical Trust (previously the Maryland Geographical Survey Department of Archaeology). 

Five of the Field Sessions (three sites) investigated were in Charles County: 1985 (Popes Creek); 1988, 1989 (Chapel Point); and 2008, 2009 (Port Tobacco).  Let's look at each of these sites starting with Popes Creek.

Popes Creek(18CH74)
The Popes Creek Site is an Early Archaic through Late Woodland site containing a large shell midden and a late 19th century lime kiln.  The site and its deposits were described by William Henry Holmes in 1907. 

In 1985 ASM and the Maryland Geographical Survey Division of Archaeology (MGS) conducted a ten-day Field Session at the site with the investigation led by Joe McNamara.   Forty-seven 1m x 1m contiguous excavation units in two areas of the upper terrace were excavated.  

Since we are highlighting partnerships, here are some photos of people participating in the Fields Session.  (Sorry, can't identify the people in the photos.  Can you?  Remember it's 1985.)

Source: MHT Office of Archeology

Source: MHT Office of Archeology

Source: MHT Office of Archeology

Source: MHT Office of Archeology

Source: MHT Office of Archeology

To see an overview of all Field Sessions - https://mdarchaeology.github.io/Annual-Field-Sessions/
(Note: only forty-nine are listed since the fiftieth is to be some time this year -hopefully.)

Library Displays (that were not to be)

CCASM planned to create displays celebrating Maryland Archaeology Month for two Charles County Library Branches (LaPlata and Potomac) during the month of April.  As you know the Charles County Libraries were closed in response to corona virus concerns.  So no one would have seen the displays.

Although we did not complete the displays, we did create plans for what to put on the back of the displays.  The theme this year irecognizes the partnerships and people for the (almost) fifty annual Field Sessions.  So the displays highlight the people that participated in the five Field Sessions held in Charles County - Popes Creek (1985), Chapel Point (1988,1989), and Port Tobacco (2008, 2009). 

Here is what you might have seen at the libraries.

LaPlata Library (draft)

Potomac Library (draft)

2020 April is Maryland Archaeology Month

Due to ongoing efforts against the COVID-19 pandemic the March 28 Workshop in Archeology has been postponed.  Although events including the May 18 Annual Spring Symposium have also been cancelled, we should try to celebrate Archeology Month however we can.

Partners in Pursuit of the Past

50 Field Sessions in Maryland Archaeology

Download 2020 Maryland Archeology Month Booklet

Download Printable 2020 Archaeology Month Mini-Poster

This year's annual Field Session will be the fiftieth one.  Sites throughout Maryland have been investigated  And three of the sites (five Field Sessions) investigated were in Charles County - Popes Creek (1985), Chapel Point (1988,1989), and Port Tobacco (2008, 2009). 
Field Sessions require planning and need participation to do the archaeology.  This year's theme recognizes the partnerships and the people that allowed these investigations to take place.