Archeological Site Survey, Basic Data Report, BPI_0520, N.D.

Summary

Originally mapped by Judge Graham and later documented by Wilke and Thompson, this is the small remnant of what may have been a larger shell midden. The top has been plowed and the western edge eroded. No artifacts or vertebrate faunal remains other than bits of charcoal and fire-cracked rock were noted by Geo-Recon in 1980. Radiocarbon dates obtained for the basal and immediate sub-plowline portions of this site indicate a Terminal Archaic or Early Woodland date. This site was noted to represent the oldest radiocarbon dated shell midden deposit in the Potomac drainage. Material observed on the beach below this midden included 2 quartzite flakes, 1 quartz flake, 2 fragments of highly eroded shell tempered ceramic, and 4 fragments of eroded medium sand tempered ceramic. The shell tempered ceramics may indicate a Late Woodland presence, as well.

MAAR's 1993 Phase I found 1 fire-cracked rock, 2 brick fragments, and a small quantity of shell in two stps. TetraTech's 2001 Phase II found that site 18CH155 is one shell-filled pit located on the east bank of the Nanjemoy Creek. Testing at the site consisted of the excavation of a single 1x2m test unit. Artifacts include prehistoric lithics, ceramics, and floral and faunal remains. Pottery recovered links this site with the Woodland period. Radiocarbon dating conducted also suggests Woodland period use. No further work concerning this site is warranted, however, as the vast majority of the site has been lost to shoreline erosion.

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Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): US Army Corps of Engineers Mandatory Center of Expertise for the Curation and Management of Archaeological Collections, St. Louis District; Harry Diamond Laboratories, Adelphi, MD

Repository(s): Adelphi Laboratory

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