Bowens Road II(18CV151)

The Bowens Road II site (18CV151) represents a domestic occupation, probably of enslaved Africans, ranging in date from the mid-18th through the mid-19th centuries. Background research indicates that the site is associated with the Somervell and Wilkinson tenures between 1773 and the mid-1800s. The site also contains a low-density prehistoric artifact scatter associated with tool manufacture and maintenance dating to the Early Archaic period.

Site 18CV151 was originally recorded in 1981 by Laurie Steponaitis during her survey of the Patuxent River drainage. In 1992, James Gibb conducted a Phase I survey and additional Phase I work by GAI Consultants, Inc. identified more archaeological resources that were part of 18CV151. Phase II testing in 2005 consisted of detailed site mapping and shovel testing, and test unit, mechanical trench, and feature excavations.

Phase I and II testing combined yielded 3,373 historic artifacts and 17 prehistoric lithic artifacts. The historic artifacts were primarily kitchen-related (36%) and architectural (49%). Of the 17 historic features identified, 12 were postholes and postmolds. The rest included a possible clay extraction or daub processing pit, a relatively shallow storage pit with a flat bottom, a possible chimney base, a trench, and a large amorphous pit. Prehistoric artifacts included an untyped Early Archaic period projectile point. All prehistoric materials were recovered from plowzone contexts.

Phase III data recovery at 18CV151 was conducted in 2006, and included test units, mechanical excavation, and hand cleaning of a 48’x185’ excavation block. The 58 cultural features identified and excavated were interpreted as 51 postholes/postmolds, 4 storage pits or root cellars, 3 ditches, 4 refuse pits, 4 other pits, 1 daub concentration, and 1 structure pier. Four structures were identified, including three dwellings and one root cellar, all associated with the late 18th- to early 19th-century occupation. Evidence from artifact distributions, soil chemical concentrations, and features were used to identify activity areas. In addition to structures and fence lines, the study identified wood ash deposits, middens around dwellings, two refuse disposal areas, one possible animal pen, and three other discrete activity areas.

Phase III investigations recovered 6,484 artifacts and faunal remains (4,389 historic artifacts, 2,069 bone and shell fragments, and 26 prehistoric artifacts). Historic artifacts were primarily kitchen-related items (25%) and architectural debris (40%). The relatively low percentage of kitchen-related ceramics and glass likely indicates that the inhabitants had few material possessions, as is typical of a slave occupation. Data recovery efforts addressed a series of research questions focused on interpreting the site’s architecture, landscape, and agricultural themes which provide significant information regarding the history of enslaved Africans in the Chesapeake region.

(Edited from Maryland Archeobotany)