MD Route 4 Site A (18CA203)
MD Route 4 Site A (18CA203) is a multicomponent site
with Late Archaic through Late Woodland occupations
and a historic refuse scatter. It is situated on a
bluff on the southern bank of Watts Creek in Caroline
County.
Phase I investigations were conducted in mid-1998.
The project area was divided into 7 sections (A-G).
Shovel test pits (STPs) were excavated at 20 m intervals.
Site 18CA203 was identified in the southern portion
of Section C in the project area and was defined by
10 STPs.
Phase II archival research was begun in December 1998
and fieldwork was conducted in early 1999. A series
of 58 shovel test pits (STPs) and six 1 m² test units
(TUs) were excavated at the site. All excavated soils
were screened through ¼” mesh hardware cloth and all
encountered artifacts were retained. Cultural features
were bisected and excavated; most features were fully
excavated. Soil samples were collected from features
for flotation.
Based on the results of the Phase II investigations,
it was determined that the prehistoric component of
the site was eligible for listing on the National
Register of Historic Places under Criterion D. The
historic component of 18CA203 was considered to have
no in situ integrity and no research potential and
was therefore not considered eligible for listing
on the National Register.
A Phase III data recovery program was initiated in
September 2005. A total of 24 test units (TUs) were
excavated in 4 blocks. All units were excavated in
arbitrary 5 cm levels within natural stratigraphy.
On completion of the TU excavations, five 1 meter
wide trenches were mechanically stripped of plowzone
to search for features across a wider portion of
the site.
1060 prehistoric artifacts were recovered from all
phases of archaeological excavation at 18CA203.
A total of 4099 historic artifacts were also collected
from 18CA203. No early structures were located within
the site area and the historic materials may represent
secondary refuse disposal from another nearby
location.
MD Route 4 Site A (18CA203) is a multicomponent site
with Late Archaic through Late Woodland occupations
and a historic refuse scatter. The artifact distribution
at the site suggested stratified but collapsed prehistoric
contexts. The recovery of historic artifacts from all
levels within the units also suggested some mixing
of contexts. The lithic artifact assemblage suggested
that expedient stone tool manufacture was one of the
primary activities at the site. Much of the debitage
reflected late stage work such as biface manufacture
and re-sharpening. It was determined that substantial
intact deposits were not likely to be located outside
of the limits of disturbance at the site. The data
recovery work mitigated the adverse impacts to the
affected portion of the site, therefore, no further
archaeological research was recommended.
(Edited from
the Maryland
Historical Trust Synthesis Project)
References
-
Harris, Tery, and Joseph W. Hopkins
-
2001.
Phase II Archeological Testing of Sites 18CA203 and 18CA205 in the Proposed Route 404 Improvement Right of Way, Denton, Caroline County, Maryland.
SHA Archeological Report No. 212.