Phase I Investigations, Proposed Expansion of the Columbarium, US Naval Academy (2010.050)

An identification (Phase I) archaeological survey was performed within an area encompassing alternatives under consideration for expansion of the existing U.S. Naval Academy (USNA) Columbarium. This project area consists of approximately 1.49 acres along the north bank of College Creek, within Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, Maryland. This project area is located in the Severn River drainage portion of Council for Maryland Archeology Research Unit 7.

The subsurface survey consisted of 34 shovel test pits (STPs) excavated at 50-foot intervals in portions of the project area with potential for undisturbed archaeological resources. No prehistoric artifacts were found the project area. Low densities of historic artifacts were found in mixed fill deposits.

The archaeological investigations detailed in this report resulted in the identification of no intact deposits related to either prehistoric or historic occupation. This clearly demonstrates that no significant archaeological resources are present within the upper three feet of the project area. However, the combination of the historical background research and the field results indicates that most of the land below the 5-foot contour is composed of artificial fill placed in this area at varying times since the 1880s. Most of this fill was probably placed over near-shore portions of College Creek and the Severn River, while some of the fill may have been placed over land just above the shoreline. Previous studies of the Naval Academy grounds have pointed out that such made-land has the potential to encapsulate shore structures or wrecked watercraft (Seidel et al. 2000:113). Thus, in any area where the planned construction disturbance will be three feet in depth or less, further archaeological work is not recommended; however, deeper planned construction disturbance should be preceded by consultation with MHT to determine if additional deeper testing is needed.

This collection contains an artifact inventory, excavation photographs, photograph log, and final report for phase I archaeological investigations at the US Navy Academy Columbarium, Maryland. The MAC Lab accession number for the images and artifacts is 2010.050. This collection also includes the project page Phase I Investigations, Proposed Expansion of the Columbarium, US Naval Academy (2010.050).