Area B-1, Site B (18CH383)

Site 18CH383 is a short-term prehistoric camp located northeast of the town of Indian Head in Charles County, Maryland. The site measures approximately 45 X 55 m and is composed of two activity loci.

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. Numerous archaeological sites (both prehistoric and historic) were identified as a part of the 1994 study.

During the Phase I survey 13 STPs were excavated. The stratigraphic context of the majority of artifacts recovered during the Phase I survey suggested the potential for resource integrity. Thus, the site was recommended for Phase II testing.

Researchers returned to the site later that year to conduct the Phase II work. Phase II evaluation included systematic shovel testing. . A total of 84 shovel tests were excavated, placed at 10 meter intervals. Soils were removed by natural strata and screened through hardware cloth. Twenty-four 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, formal test units were placed throughout the site. A total of 4- 1x1m test units were excavated, generally in the areas of densest artifact concentration. Soils were removed by arbitrary 10 cm levels following natural stratigraphy and were screened through hardware cloth.

A total of 34 prehistoric artifacts were recovered from the Phase II shovel tests. All 4 formal test units yielded artifacts, producing an additional 168 prehistoric artifacts. Four additional artifacts were recovered from the surface. No ceramic sherds were recovered and all were lithic artifacts. In addition to the artifacts, a feature, the base of a possible prehistoric hearth or pit, was identified in one of the excavation units. A flotation sample was taken from the feature and produced 1.65 g of charcoal. Twenty of the total 61 fragments in the charcoal sample could be identified as eastern red cedar.

The site is best characterized as a short term encampment, utilized mainly as a locus for primary reduction of cobbles probably already begun along the nearby streambed from which they were extracted. While there may be sufficient vertical integrity to differentiate activity areas, the low level and fairly uniform distribution of material, lack of horizontal patterning, and the absence of diagnostic artifacts do not permit the division of the assemblage into functionally or chronologically distinct zones. Without such controls, the site is unlikely to furnish additional significant information. It is not considered a significant prehistoric resource.

(Edited from the Maryland Historical Trust Synthesis Project)