From the Field
Tockwogh Survey: Field School 2006
The entries below are weekly summaries of work and discoveries currently being made by students in the field.
Week 1
The Washington College Department of Anthropology began its field school on May 22. With fourteen students, the first week of field school was a success. Students, led by Darrin Lowery, surveyed tilled fields in the local area. Ten sites were found in the first week on the 285 acres that were surveyed. The sites ranged in date from the Middle Archaic period to the Contact period. From prehistoric sites that were discovered, students found various types of debitage, projectile points, and trade material. In addition, a fragment of Late Woodland pottery was found, the first discovered by the field school over the past two years.
Students not only surveyed fields in search for artifacts, but lectures were also given by professors Darrin Lowery and John Seidel. Introductory lectures to archaeology were given to the students, and these included information on how to survey, what to look for, types of lithic materials, and methods in archaeology. In the following weeks, students will also get experience in excavating sites in Anne Arundel County, take field trips to prehistoric sites, museums, and continue surveying fields.
Week 2
May 30 - June 2
In the second week of the Washington College Archaeology field school, students continued work surveying tilled fields in the area. A total of 330 acres were covered in this week, on which they found another ten sites, bringing the total number found thus far to twenty. Datable artifacts found ranged from the Archaic period to the early historic period of the region. More prehistoric debitage, cores, performs, and projectile points were found, as well as historic pipe stems, pipe bowls, and pottery from the 17th to the 19th centuries. Students in the second week also had lectures pertaining to early prehistory from the paleoindian period through the archaic period.
Week 3
June 5 - June 9
In the third week of the archaeological field school students surveyed 135 acres of fields. The earliest diagnostic artifact found was a MacCorkle projectile point from the Middle Archaic period. A total of 754 acres were surveyed throughout these first three weeks of field school, with a total of 24 sites discovered. The class also took a trip to Echo Hill Outdoor School to examine prehistoric shell middens. These are clusters of oyster shell that had been discarded during the Woodland period. Shell middens, as the students learned, can provide important information. They can be help in learning about prehistoric ecosystems and how native peoples utilized their local resources. The class also visited Elliot Island in the lower region of the Chesapeake Bay. Here, students could survey shorelines in search for prehistoric artifacts. Many pieces of Native American pottery were found, in addition to two Late Woodland period triangle projectile points and a stone pendant. Students ended the week with a midterm on material that had been covered in the class.
Week 4
June 12 - June 16
In week four of the field school, students were introduced to aspects and methods of archaeology much different from surveying. At the beginning of the week, students visited the Iron Hill Jasper Quarry in Newark, Delaware to gain a better understanding of the lithic material that prehistoric peoples used and how they quarried it. In addition to this, the class worked in Anne Arundel County on the Western Shore to help with historic excavations. Here, students dug shovel test pits to test areas for possible site locations. Also, they worked on site at a 17th century pipe maker's property. Students were introduced to excavating and learned how to properly unearth artifacts and record information on the site. Many fragments of pipes were found, as well as ceramics, an axe head, and architectural materials.
Week 5
June 19 - June 23
Students in the fifth week of field school did their last work surveying fields, where they found a prehistoric site. They also were able to visit and get an understanding of Carolina bays. These are isolated wetlands in naturally formed shallow depression that hold freshwater and provide habitat for wildlife. Often, in these areas, prehistoric sites can be found because the habitat provides many useful natural resources. In addition to this, students also visited a farm in Delaware that has a large assemblage of Native American artifacts ranging from the Paleoindian to the Contact period. Students also visited historic 17th century Londontown in Anne Arundel County. Londontown, part of the Lost Towns Project in Maryland, was once an important port town. Archaeologists and historians have excavated many parts of the town, which is also a living history project.
In this week, the field school also learned how to fill out site data forms, which register newly found sites with the Maryland Historical Society. All 25 sites found this summer during the field school will be submitted for registry with the MHS. Students also gained knowledge and experience in survey tools, learning how to use a theodolite and compass in recording location and distance. Also, the field school students learned how to use atl-atls (prehistoric spear throwers) and finished lectures on prehistoric periods.
Week 6
June 26 - 30
With the final week of field school, students visited Washington, DC. They were supposed to get a tour of the Smithsonian Natural History Museum, but due to electric problems, students visited the Native American Museum. Here they saw exhibits representing various periods and cultures of the Native Americans. In this week, students also continued work with site data forms, as well as the surveying tools. Also, Wendy Miller, head of the General Information Systems (GIS) program at Washington College, lectured the students on the use of GIS and GPS (Global Positioning System). Students learned how GIS and GPS can be very important in archaeological work. Students finished the 2006 Summer Archaeology Field School with a final exam, as well as a picnic to celebrate their hard work.