4 April
-St. Mary's County-
Symposium:: Archeological Society of Maryland's Spring Symposium
Colonial Archeology: Investigating & Celebrating Maryland’s 375th Birthday
Description: A Brief History of Archaeology in Maryland’s First Capital Silas D. Hurry, Historic St. Mary’s City Commission This presentation details the history of archaeological investigations in St. Mary’s City from the period of antiquarian enquiry through the modern era of scientific archaeology. A range of interesting characters will be presented and the results of their explorations explained. Much of this story focuses on the past 40 years when St. Mary’s has provided a virtual laboratory for the development of the discipline of historical archaeology.
Three Decades of Archaeology on St. John’s Freehold Ruth M. Mitchell, Historic St. Mary’s City Commission Archaeology conducted in the 1970s revealed a story-and-a-half English framed dwelling, known as St. John’s. The 1638 building reflects English architectural practices that were soon modified. Post-in-the-ground additions and support structures were found throughout the site. Recent excavations shed new light on the architectural changes found throughout the site.
The Richard E. Stearns Memorial Lecture Burial Archaeology in the Chapel Field at St. Mary’s City Timothy B. Riordan, Historic St. Mary’s City Commission Since 1983 HSMC has identified over 250 graveshafts in the Chapel Field and evidence suggests that there may be as many as 1000 people buried in this field. Starting with the spectacular discovery of the lead coffins in 1990, burial archaeology has been an important part of understanding the use and meaning of the Chapel site. Since 1990, 65 burials have been excavated and the remains of 75 individuals removed. Because of the unique circumstances of the Chapel Field site, it has been possible to divide the burials into three equal periods, spanning 1638-1730. Insights on coffin shape, use, and construction are outlined. The context of “shroud pins,” commonly found in 17th-century burials, is explored, and the significance of changes in burial patterns considered.
The Iris McGillivray Memorial Lecture A Comparative Analysis of a 17th Century Dutch Plantation Site on the Eastern Shore to Known 17th Century Archeological Sites in the Upper Chesapeake Bay Bruce Thompson, Maryland Historical Trust. Archeologists have probed ever deeper into the archeological evidence for colonial life in middle to late 17th-century Maryland. Geographically, those efforts focused on sites along the western shores of the Chesapeake Bay. Using primary documents, artifact analysis and Maryland Historical Trust’s “Comparative Archaeological Study of Colonial Chesapeake Culture,” this paper offers a comparative look at a mid- to late-17th-century Dutch site called the Grieb Site (18KE83) located on the Chester River.
Into the Zekiah: The Untold History Julia A. King, Scott M. Strickland, and Michael J. Sullivan, Zekiah Swamp in Charles County was the setting for some of the most colorful places and events in the colony's history: Lord Baltimore’s summer house, the Piscataway Indian’s Fort Zekiah, and the county and race track. For all of this interesting history, very little archaeology has been done in the Zekiah Swamp. Beginning in late 2007, a partnership involving St. Mary's College of Maryland, the College of Southern Maryland, and a consortium of interested businessmen in Charles County began a long-term project to map the Zekiah's patent history and identify important 17th-century sites. This presentation describes those sites that have been found, including the Court House, John Pryor's store, and Johnsontown, as well as the progress to date searching for Major Boarman's dwelling plantation, Lord Baltimore's summer house, and, most significantly, the Zekiah Fort.
Discovering Port Tobacco: the ASM Annual Field Session James G. Gibb, Port Tobacco Archaeological Project Less than two years of archaeological survey and testing at the Colonial town site of Port Tobacco in Charles County has revealed the probable location of Potobac (mapped by Captain John Smith in 1608), a previously unknown Colonial period cemetery, several early to mid-18th century house sites, the County’s third generation jail (1859-1897), and several well-defined Archaic sites. This presentation summarizes the research completed to date and discusses the annual field session which will occur at Port Tobacco from May 22 through June 1.
Sponsor: Archeological Society of Maryland, Inc., Historic St. Mary’s City, and the Maryland Historical Trust Office of Archeology
Location: Historic St. Mary's City Visitor Center
Times: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Fee: $5.00 for members of the Archeological Society of Maryland $7.00 for non-members
Contact: Jim Gibb
-Anne Arundel County-
Workshop:: Historic Ceramics Identification Workshop
Description: Learn how to identify historic ceramics commonly found at archaeology sites
Sponsor: The Lost Towns Project
Location: Historic London Town and Gardens, 839 London Town Road, Edgewater, MD 21037
Times: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Fee: $5 for general public, free for members or volunteers Pre-Registration is required (limited space available)
Contact: Jessie Grow, 410 222 1318
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