Phase I Archaeological Survey of Twelve Areas at the Blossom Point Field Test Facility (BPFTF) Charles County, Maryland

Summary

A Phase I archeological survey of 12 selected areas totaling 250 acres at the Blossom Point Field Test Facility (BPFTF) in Charles County, Maryland, was conducted during the summer of 1993 by MAAR Associates, Inc. (MAI), of Newark, Delaware. MAI conducted the survey as a subcontractor to Geo-Marine, Inc. (GMI), of Plano, Texas, under contract with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth District, Fort Worth, Texas. The survey was undertaken as part of the compliance with Section 106 and Section 110 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended through 1992; Executive Order 11593, Protection and Enhancement of the Cultural Environment; and the management plan established in An Archeological Overview and Management Plan for the Harry Diamond Laboratories - Blossom Point Test Site (Gardner et al. 1985:6-6).

The purpose of this survey was to locate and identify any cultural resources sites within the selected areas and to make management recommendations for any further appropriate action. MAI crews initially conducted a pedestrian reconnaissance in areas where artifacts could be observed at ground surface. Subsurface testing was also conducted, as well as limited testing in areas, where previously located sites had been identified. Although the vegetation varied greatly from area to area, surface visibility was generally low and subsurface shovel testing proved to be the major means of site location. A total of 28 sites (18 prehistoric and 10 historic) had been previously recorded at the BPFTF. An additional seven sites (18CH479, 18CH480, 18CH481, 18CH482, 18CH483, 18CH484, and 18CH485) have been recorded as a result of the current survey by MAI. Four sites are purely prehistoric sites and three sites contain both prehistoric and historic components.

Fourteen sites, nine previously identified and five newly recorded sites, are recommended for a Phase II survey.

Keywords

Spatial Coverage

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

Contributor(s): Geo-Marine, Inc.

Principal Investigator(s): Ronald A. Thomas

Repository(s): Adelphi Laboratory

Prepared By(s): MAAR Associates, Inc

Submitted To(s): US Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth District

Record Identifiers

Order No.(s): 073

GMI Project No. (s): 1161-073

Contract No.(s): DACA63-90-D-0061

File Information