Topics and Speakers at Previous CCASM Meetings (2010-present)

May 12,  2016

2015 ASM Field School, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, and the Anthrocene

Jim Gibb presented some of the findings from the 2015 Archeological Society of Maryland's Fall Field School that was conducted at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC).   The field school uncovered deposits associated with John Contee's Java Plantation and one of the slave houses, both dating to the first half of the 19th century.  Jim talked about placing what was found into the larger context of life in the Anthropocene
James Gibb, Gibb Archaeological Consulting
see CCASM ASM Field School, SERC, and the Anthrocene   for posting about meeting

April 14,  2016

Maryland Indian Heritage Trail

Rico Newman talked about the Maryland Indian Heritage Trail as well as the Accokeek Creek Site.
Rico Newman, Commissioner, Maryland Commission on Indian Affairs
see Maryland Indian Heritage Trail   for posting about meeting

March 10,  2016

CCASM Investigation of Pomonkey North

Carol Cowherd gave the final report on what was found during the CCASM investigation of Pomonkey North that started in 2012.  This included information that had not been previously reported about what was learned from the excavation of the test units.
Carol Cowherd, CCASM Vice-President
see CCASM Investigation of Pomonkey North   for posting about meeting

February 11,  2016

In Search of Josiah Henson: Charles County's Famous Forgotten Son

Dr. Julia King talked about Josiah Henson who was born in 1796, enslaved on the farm, La Grange, in Charles County, MD.  Julie and archaeology students from St. Mary’s College will be looking for  locations where Josiah Henson may have lived in Charles County.
Julia King, Anthropology Professor,  Saint Mary's College of Maryland
see In Search of Josiah Henson  for posting about meeting

January 14, 2016

Outfitting Outlander

Sara Rivers-Cofield discussed the MAC Lab's creation of the  Outlander "traveling" exhibit, the various sites associated with the artifacts in the display, and the historical accuracy of the Outlander's costumes and props.
Sara Rivers-Cofield, Federal Curator,  Maryland Archaeological Conservation Lab
see Outfitting Outlander  for posting about meeting

December 10, 2015

Archaeology of Maryland's Shoreline Settings

Matt McKnight and Troy Nowak talked about a shoreline case study and two underwater archaeological surveys.  One of the surveys was on the Wicomico River (adjacent to Charles County) and the other was at Janes Island on the Eastern Shore.
Troy Nowak, Assistant Underwater Archaeologist, Maryland Historical Trust
Matt McKnight, Research Archaeologist, Maryland Historical Trust
see Archaeology of Maryland's Shoreline Settings  for posting about meeting

November 12, 2015

Archaeological Sites and Natural Hazards

Jen Sparenberg discussed hazard mitigation in Maryland and described the types of hazards that affect archaeological sites as well as historic structures.
Jen Sparenberg, Hazard Mitigation Officer for the Maryland Historical Trust.

Protecting Historic Places, Archeological Sites and Cultural Landscapes from the Effects of Natural Hazards – A View from Anne Arundel County

Stephanie Sperling talked about the continuing effort in Anne Arundel County to identify archaeological sites at risk due to sea-level rise and coastal erosion.
Stephanie Sperling, Lost Towns Project, Anne Arundel County.
see Protecting Archaeological Sites from Effects of Natural Hazards  for posting about meeting

October 8, 2015

Tracing the Footsteps of Those Who Left Calvert County During the War of 1812

Kirsti Uunila showed documentary evidence for individual slaves who took refuge with British Naval forces during the War of 1812 and also suggested possible connections with archaeological sites.
Kirsti Uunila, Historic Preservation Planner for Calvert County
see Tracing the Footsteps of Those Who Left  for posting about meeting

September 10, 2015

Archaeology at Jewish Synagogue in Baltimore

Esther Doyle-Read described the archaeology done on a Jewish mikveh, a ritual bath. Archaeology had uncovered this original 1845 mikveh beneath the foundation of an extension of the Lloyd Street Jewish Synagogue in Baltimore.
Esther Doyle-Read, University of Maryland Baltimore County faculty and Contract Archaeologist for Charles County.
see Archaeology at Jewish Synagogue  for posting about meeting

May 14, 2015

The Land of Mary: Its Rocks and Minerals

Doug Zabel conducted an introductory workshop on the basics of minerals and rocks, focusing on the types of rocks occurring in Maryland.
Douglas E Zabel, Professor, Biological and Physical Sciences, College of Southern Maryland
see The Land of Mary: Its Rocks and Minerals  for posting about meeting

April 9, 2015

Highlights of Charles County Artifacts stored at MAC Lab

Becky Morehouse bought artifacts from several Charles County archaeological collections housed at the MAC Lab as well as the reports associated with the collections.
Rebecca Morehouse, State Curator, Maryland Archaeological Conservation Lab
see Charles County Archaeological Collections  for posting about meeting

March 12, 2015

Ghost Fleet of Mallow's Bay

Don Shomette related the history of the WWI ships that are now in Mallow's Bay, a vast ship graveyard on the western shore of Charles County.  NOAA has accepted the Mallows Bay nomination for National Marine Sanctuary status.
Don Shomette, historian and underwater archaeologist
see Ghost Fleet of Mallow's Bay  for posting about meeting

February 12, 2015

Shaw's Folly and Sparrow's Rest

Jim Gibb talked about archaeology being done at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center on two neighboring 1660s plantation sites.
Dr. Jim Gibb, Smithsonian Research Associate
see Shaw's Folly and Sparrow's Rest  for posting about meeting

January 8, 2015

Stoddard's Ordinary

Emily Swain talked about the archaeology at Mount Calvert Historical and Archaeological Park associated with Stoddard's Ordinary, a seventeenth century tavern/inn.
Emily Swain, Prince George’s County Department of Parks and Recreation, M-NCPPC

Archaeology and Community Collaboration

Kristin Montaperto related ways for engaging the local community in the archaeology being done at a given site as well as collaborating with the community.
Dr. Kristin Montaperto, Prince George’s County Department of Parks and Recreation, M-NCPPC 
see Archaeology in the Parks  for posting about meeting

December 12, 2014

Tabletop Excavation

Patricia Samford guided us through a hands-on activity that gave us a chance to be an archaeologist and investigate a pretend site without getting our hands dirty.
Dr. Patricia Samford, Director of Maryland Archaeological Conservation Lab
see Tabletop Excavation  for posting about meeting

November 13, 2014

Sense of Place

Rico Newman talked about "Sense of Place", one of five parts of the "World View" of Native Americans.  Rico also talked about the efforts to create the Maryland Indian Heritage Trails in order to make people more aware of these locations and their significance to the Native American story.
Rico Newman, Director of Maryland Indian Tourism Assoc., Inc.
see Sense of Place  for posting about meeting

October 9, 2014

The Interesting Story of Charles and Eleanor Butler: Archaeology Deepens the Story

Dr. Julia King enticed us with the story of Eleanor, an Irish immigrant, and Charles Butler, an enslaved African. The pair met while working at Notley Hall on the Wicomico River and married in 1681 in Maryland.  Dr. King uses the archaeological record to reconstruct this narrative.
Dr. Julia A. King, Professor of Anthropology, Saint Mary's College of Maryland
see Charles and Eleanor Butler  for posting about meeting

September 11, 2014

The Potomac Squadron and the Attack on Washington

Patrick O'Neill described how Maryland and Virginia militias engaged British warships on the Potomac between August and September of 1814 and how these efforts gave Baltimore time to build their defenses before being attacked 1½ weeks later, where the Star Spangled Banner was penned.
Patrick O'Neill, Independent Archaeologist/Historian
see 1814 Battle of the Potomac  for posting about meeting

May 8, 2014

Using Archaeology Courses to Empower Undergraduates

Dr. Laura Cripps talked about developing a general course for those with no prior knowledge or interest in archaeology. She showed parts of the on-line "virtual excavation" used in her archaeological methods class.  She also described several research projects involving the students.
Dr. Laura Cripps, Howard Community College, Assistant Professor of Anthropology
see Using Archaeology Courses to Empower  for posting about meeting

April 10, 2014

Overwhelmed By the Sea: An Afternoon at Point Lookout State Park (and fabric impressed oyster shell tempered pottery)

Lynne Bulhack told us about the shell tempered Mockley pottery she had found at Point Lookout and how it had led her on a quest to learn more about how it was made.  Lynne also brought a trifold display on pottery as well as pottery examples (experimental archaeology).
Lynne Bulhack, Ceramic Instructor and Amateur Archaeologist
see Point Lookout State Park and Oyster Shell Tempered Pottery  for posting about meeting

March 19, 2014

Identifying and Delineating Building Locations on Low-Density Sites Using a Metal Detector

Sarah Grady showed how a metal detector could be used as a non-invasive way to locate a site structure when there were few surface artifacts in the vicinity of the structure.
Sarah Grady, Participant in Smithsonian Citizen Scientist Program
see Using a Metal Detector to Locate Buildings  for posting about meeting

January 15, 2014

The Port Tobacco Village Plan

Cathy Thompson shared with us the Port Tobacco Village Plan and what changes are in store for the Courthouse, Burch House, and Stagg Hall in 2014.
Cathy Thompson, Charles County Department of Planning and Growth Management
see Port Tobacco Village Plan  for posting about meeting

December 12, 2013

What Archaeology is Telling Us about the Lives of African Americans Who Lived at Mount Calvert

Michael Lucas talked about past and current archaeology being done on an eighteenth and nineteenth century tobacco plantation located in the Mount Calvert Historical and Archaeological Park in Prince George’s County.  Current archaeology is for the slave area of the plantation.
Michael Lucas, M-NCPPC Prince George's County
see Archaeology and African Americans at Mount Calvert  for posting about meeting

November 14, 2013

Pomonkey North - Small Flakes, Broken Pottery, and an Opportunity to Learn  (site CCASM investigating)

CCASM has been investigating a Native American site since February 2012.  Carol Cowherd shared all we have learned to date about the site and about how to investigate a site.
Carol Cowherd, President, Charles County Archaeological Society of Maryland, Inc.
see Investigating Pomonkey North Site  for posting about meeting

October 10, 2013

Archaeological Investigations of a Classic Maya Site in Belize
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.  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.
Tom Forhan
see Excavating a Classic Mayan Site  for posting about meeting

September 12, 2013

Finding 17th Century Chapel in St. Francis Xavier Cemetery
Jim Gibb highlighted the results from ASM's field session at the cemetery of the St. Francis Xavier Cemetery.  They found 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
Dr. James Gibb, Gibb Archaeological Consulting
see Finding 17th Century Chapel in St. Francis Xavier Cemetery  for posting about meeting

May 9, 2013

Early Architecture in Maryland
There were two talks relating to the early architecture in Maryland.  Ruth Mitchell reviewed the architecture of St. John's Freehold, and Timothy Riordan discussed the transition from impermanent to formal architecture in Maryland.
Timothy Riordan, Director of Archaeology, Historic St. Mary’s City
Ruth Mitchell, Senior Staff Archaeologist , Historic St. Mary’s City,
see Early Architecture in Maryland   for posting about meeting

April 11, 2013

Looking for George Atzerodt in Port Tobacco
This was an opportunity to share information that might lead to identifying the Port Tobacco location of the carriage shop associated with George Atzerodt, one of the Lincoln assassination conspirators.  Discussion was lead by Jim Gibb and Joe Gleason.
Jim Gibb, Gibb Archaeological Consulting
Joe Gleason
see Looking for George Atzerodt in Port Tobacco  for posting about meeting

March 14, 2013

Archaeology at Shuter's Hill in Alexandria
Garret Fesler reviewed the archaeology that Alexandria Archaeology has done at Shuter's Hill since 1995.  Alexander Archaeology encourages volunteers to help with the excavations.
Garret Fesler, Alexandria Archaeology
see Archaeology at Shuter's Hill in Alexandria  for posting about meeting

February 14, 2013

What's Happening in Calvert County Archaeology
Kirsti Uunila indicated the ways archaeology was "happening" in Calvert County - everything from mandated Cultural Resource Management to accidental discovery. She also would welcome volunteers to work with her.
Kirsti Uunila, Historic Preservation Planner, Calvert County Planning & Zoning
see What's Happening in Calvert County Archaeology  for posting about meeting

January 10, 2013
Results of Remote Sensing Done at Port Tobacco
Peter Quantock presented some of the geophysical results from the remote sensing he did in Port Tobacco in 2011. Both magnetometer and ground penetrating work was done around the Courthouse.
Peter Quantock, M.A. Anthopology candidate, University of Denver
see Remote Sensing at Port Tobacco  for posting about meeting

December 13, 2012

War of 1812 at Nottingham, MD
Mike Lucas talked about what has been found by the War of 1812 Archaeology Project at Nottingham, a small village on the Patuxent River. During the summer of 1814, the British briefly occupied Nottingham on their way to Washington. This multi-year project was started by Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission in October 2011.
Dr. Mike Lucas, M-NCPPC Prince George's County
see War of 1812 at Nottingham  for posting about meeting

November 8, 2012

Archaeology and the Citizen-Scientist: 
A New Program at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center

Jim Gibb discussed the excavations being done at Sellman’s Connection, a 500-acre tract that is now part of the the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) in Anne Arundel County.  This is part of a pilot program at SERC.
Dr. James G Gibb, Gibb Archaeological Consulting
see Archaeologcy and the Citizen Scientist  for posting about meeting

October 10, 2012

Identifying Bottle Glass

Bob Sonderman gave a mini-workshop on identifying 18th through 20th century bottle glass based on determining how the bottle was manufactured.  Bob even had examples of bottles or bottle fragments to illustrate the different processes.
Bob Sonderman, Museum Support Center, National Park Service - National Capital Region
see Identifying Bottle Glass  for posting about meeting

September 13, 2012

War of 1812 Embankment at Elk's Landing, MD

Jim Gibb presented the historical evidence for the location of a War of 1812 embankment at Elk's Landing, and then proceeded to show the results from the 2012 ASM Field School Session that confirms its location.
Jim Gibb, Gibb Archaeological Consulting
see War of 1812 at Elk's Landing  for posting about meeting

May 10, 2012

Making Stone Tools

Tim Thoman demonstrated flint knapping, the technique Native Americans used to create stone tools. He demonstrated both pressure flaking and percussion flaking (hitting the stones with hammerstones, antlers, or wooden billets).
Tim Thoman, Native American Village Manager, Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum
see Making Stone Tools for posting about meeting

April 12, 2012

The Search for Newtowne Chapel

Scott Lawrence provided the current status of the search for Newtowne Chapel, a 17th Century Jesuit Chapel located in the cemetery of St Francis Xavier Church in Newtown, St Mary’s County Maryland

Scott Lawrence  Grave Concerns

see Looking for Newtowne Chapel for posting about meeting

March 8, 2012

The Original Mt Aventine(s)

Laura Cripps described a multidisciplinary investigation for the original Mt. Aventine(s), at Chapman State Park in Western Charles County.  The work is being undertaken by Howard Community College professors and students.

Laura Cripps, Howard Community College, Assistant Professor of Anthropology/Geography

see Looking for the Original Mt Aventine(s) for posting about meeting

February 9, 2012

Westwood Manor and Being Fashionable on Maryland’s Western Shore in the Late 17th-Century

A new analysis of artifacts from Westwood Manor, a Charles County plantation on the Wicomico River included an ivory handle from a walking stick.  This led into a discussion of fashions in Maryland in the 17th century

Patricia Samford, Maryland Archaeological Conservation Lab Director, Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum

see Westwood Manor - Being Fashionable in the 17th Century for posting about meeting

January 12, 2012

Using Land Deeds and Plats to Look for Port Tobacco in the 18th Century

Carol Cowherd showed how land records and plats were used to look for the original 1729 layout of the town and also talked a little about life in the town in the eighteenth century.

Carol Cowherd, President, Charles County Archaeological Society of Maryland, Inc.

see Port Tobacco in the 18th Century for posting about meeting

December 7, 2011

Cultural Landscapes and Wilderness: Historic Archaeology of the Riley Tract Rock Creek Park, Washington, DC

Tom Forhan told about the work he had done in Rock Creek Park. Before the government acquired the land for Rock Creek Park in 1890, the area was farmed by a diverse group of landowners and tenants, including 100 acres owned by William Riley. His talk highlighted cultural landscapes and the wilderness.

Tom Forhan, Vice President, Archeological Society of Maryland, Inc.

see Riley Tract in Rock Creek Park for posting about meeting

November 2, 2011

Discovering the Piscataway Fort

Dr. King described several sites on the Wicomico River and in the Zekiah Swamp that she and her students have investigated over the last three years and how this past summer she thinks they have found the Zekiah Fort.

Dr. Julia A. King, Professor of Anthropology, Saint Mary's College of Maryland

see Searching for Piscataway Fort for posting about meeting

October 5, 2011

History and Archaeology of Maryland Mills

The presentation explored the history and architecture of Maryland mills and showed how archaeological investigations have revealed remarkable differences in technology among the state’s mills.

Dr. James Gibb, Gibb Archaeological Consulting

see History and Archaeology of Maryland Mills for posting about meeting

May 5, 2011

Identifying and Dating American Bottles

A workshop to discover the different features of machine-made glass bottles that help to identify the date and the use of the bottle.

Alyssa Marizan, Gibb Archaeological Consulting

see Identifying Machine-Made Bottles for posting about meeting

April 6, 2011

Sands of Time: Sedimentation of Port Tobacco

A look at the massive soil changes at Port Tobacco using information from the Burch House excavations.

Anne Hayward, Gibb Archaeological Consulting

see Looking at Massive Soil Changes at Port Tobacco for posting about meeting

March 2, 2011

Wollaston: The Search for a Seventeenth Century Manor

An overview of the 2008 excavations conducted along the Potomac River in Charles County. 
Local lore has often credited this area to be the location of the original Wollaston Manor house built by Captain James Neale in 1661.  However, the artifacts and the dimensions of the two dwellings excavated indicated that these buildings were not Wollaston Manor. 

Kelly Cooper, Education Coordinator,Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum

see Searching for Seventeenth Century Wollaston Manor for posting about meeting

February 2, 2011

Is There a Prehistoric Woodland Site in My Backyard?

Over the past several years flakes and other artifacts have been appearing in the Carol"s backyard.   After briefly reviewing the type of technology associated with Native Americans in the Chesapeake, we looked at what these artifacts can tell us.

Carol Cowherd, Charles County Archaeology Society of Maryland

see Looking at Prehistoric Artifacts in Charles County for posting about meeting

January 5, 2011

Archeology and History of Q-Ranch in Gila County, Arizona

Belinda shared her experiences of excavating a historic site and Mogollon pueblos on the Q-Ranch in Arizona, and also shared stories relating to the history of the ranch.

Belinda Urquiza, Charles County Archaeology Society of Maryland

see Sharing Experiences Excavating in Arizona for posting about meeting

December 1, 2010

After the Digging is Done: Archaeological Discoveries in the Laboratory

A discussion on what archaeologists do with artifacts after the excavations, the research that goes into learning about material culture, and what these exciting finds tell us about the past.

Silas Hurry, Curator of Collections, Historic Saint Mary’s City

see Finding Out What Happens After the Digging Is Done for posting about meeting

November 3, 2010

Forts, Traitors, and Traders

Dr. King reviewed some of the exciting findings from this summer's 2010 field season in the Zekiah Swamp, including closing in on the Zekiah Fort and discovering the site of Governor Josias Fendall, a hero to some, a traitor to others.

Dr. Julia A. King, Professor of Anthropology, Saint Mary's College of Maryland

see Hearing About Forts, Traitor, and Traders in Charles County for posting about meeting

October 6, 2010
Life in Early Prince George’s County, Maryland: Archaeological Discoveries at the other Charles Town 1684-1721
Dr. Michael Lucas, Maryland National Capital Parks and Planning Commission
see Hearing About an Early Prince George's County Town for posting about meeting

September 1, 2010
The Posey Site
A late 17th Century Charles County site, whose artifacts show how interaction with European colonists changed the material culture of Maryland’s Indians
Sara Rivers-Cofield, Curator, Federal Collections, Maryland Archaeological Conservation Laboratory
see Learning about Posey Site and its Artifacts for posting about meeting