Area A-3/B-2, Site D (18CH381)

Site 18CH381 (Area A-3/B-2, Site D) is a multi-component prehistoric site which appears to have served as a short-term camp during the Middle Archaic and as a base camp during the Late Woodland. There is also evidence of a light, mid-18th century artifact scatter at the site. The site is located northeast of the town of Indian Head in Charles County, Maryland.

The site was originally investigated as part of a large Phase I survey in 1994, prior to the onset of site preparation and construction for the Chapman’s Landing development. The development included the construction of extensive office and retail space, town houses, single-family houses, and a 200-acre golf course. Numerous archaeological sites (both prehistoric and historic) were identified as a part of the 1994 study.

During the Phase I survey, a total of 7 shovel test pits (STPs) were excavated across the site at 20 meter intervals. The stratigraphic context of the majority of artifacts recovered during the Phase I survey suggested the potential for resource integrity. Thus, Phase II testing was recommended for 18CH381.

Researchers returned to the site later that year to conduct the Phase II work. Phase II evaluation included systematic shovel testing of the site in order to more carefully define the horizontal and vertical distribution of different quantities and categories of artifacts. Shovel were placed at 10 meter intervals. Soils were removed by natural strata and screened through hardware cloth. A total of 57 shovel tests were excavated. Thirty-seven of the STPs produced prehistoric artifacts.

Based upon the numerical concentrations and types of artifacts recovered during the Phase II intensive shovel testing, as well as data gathered from the Phase I investigation, 11- 1x1m formal test units were placed throughout the site. Soils were removed by arbitrary 10 cm levels following natural stratigraphy and were screened through hardware cloth.

A total of 940 prehistoric artifacts were recovered during Phase II. Diagnostic artifacts included 2 apparent Neville points and Potomac and Moyaone sherds. No sherds found predate the Late Woodland period.

The vertical concentrations of artifacts, especially the presence of discrete ceramic and acermic components, seemingly associated with differing chronological markers, suggests a degree of vertical integrity at the site. However, the upper artifact concentration appears to have been disturbed by cultivation, slope wash, and bioturbation. The lower component does not appear to have been significantly impacted by cultivation, but the absence of hearth features within this component is problematic for the issue of integrity.

A total of 18 historic artifacts were retained during the Phase II testing at 18CH381. Modern material, including bottle glass and metal, were observed on the surface, but were not collected. The low level of historic material and the diffuse character of architectural debris indicates that the historic component at 18CH381 is probably nothing more than a low level field scatter. The historic deposit is likely incapable of addressing significant research questions in Maryland history and should not be considered a significant resource.

(Edited from the Maryland Historical Trust Synthesis Project)