Clifton Site (18CH358)

The Clifton Site (18CH358) in northern Charles County, MD is a stratified multi-component site with evidence of Early Archaic through Late Woodland short-term camps. Evidence of an early to mid-18th century deposit, possibly related to a plantation known as “Hopewell” is also present at the site.

Phase I in 1991 consisted of 175 STPs. Researchers returned in 1992 to conduct Phase II testing which consisted of a surface collection, 11- 1x1m test units, and machine stripping of selected areas to check for features. Phase III evaluations in 1993 comprised 10- 1x1m test units plus 56 square meters of block excavation. Machine stripping of plowzone totaled 1643 square meters. All soils removed were screened through hardware cloth.

Charcoal samples taken during Phase II yielded a calibrated calendrical age range of AD 60–229.

Phase III fieldwork focused on two areas of high artifact density and buried cultural material identified during the Phase II investigations. These were designated Areas A and B, with “A” pertaining to the northern site locale and “B” to the southeastern site region.

Phase III fieldwork at 18CH358 revealed extensive prehistoric cultural material spanning a date range from the Early Archaic period through to the Late Woodland period. Of particular note was the recovery of a relatively intact Middle to Late Archaic sequence preserved within the B-horizon of Area A.

Woodland period components, though present in both Area A and B, were not as well represented in the site area as those dating to the Archaic stage. The Archaic and Woodland stage components documented at the Clifton site all appear to be functionally similar, representing short-term forays of limited duration.

The eighteenth century component encountered Phase III was entirely unexpected. Archival research revealed very little that could be used to identify the historic site inhabitants. It appears that the site was once part of a tract known as “Hopewell.” When the tract was resurveyed in 1704 it measured 521 acres and was owned by James Smallwood. The parcel may have passed into the hands of Sarah Smallwood before it was acquired by a James Marshall. The eighteenth century component at Clifton, therefore, contains the material remains of activities that took place while the parcel was under the control of either the Marshall or Smallwood families.

The features encountered during the Phase III excavations of the 18th century component include a series of refuse pits of various shapes and sizes, thin, shallow trenches from erecting slot fences, and numerous postholes and molds.

A total of 18,443 artifacts were recovered from all phases of archaeological examination of 18CH358. This included 16,173 prehistoric artifacts and 2,270 historic.

While the prehistoric deposits appear to have been well-documented, questions remain regarding the 18th century occupation. It is not known if any portions of this component remain, outside the area impacted by grading and subsequent flooding. Thus, the research potential of 18CH358 remains uncertain.

(Edited from the Maryland Historical Trust Synthesis Project)