GAI Site 8/CCNPP Site 8(18CV481)

Site 18CV481, also known as CCNPP Site 8 or GAI Site 8, is a late 19th- to early 20th-century domestic site located on the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Facility in Calvert County, Maryland. The site measures approximately 40 X 45 meters or 0.43 acres. The site was first investigated archaeologically in late 2006 during a Phase Ib investigation of the property in advance of the proposed expansion of the nuclear facilities at the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant.

Phase Ib investigations at 18CV481 consisted of systematic 15 m interval shovel testing (STPs), followed by radial STPs around positive finds at a closer 5 m interval. A total of 22 STPs were excavated within the site, with 16 positive STPs producing 36 historic artifacts. Shovel tests revealed an Ap-B soil horizon sequence with disturbances limited to cultivation. Historic artifacts were recovered from the Ap horizon. The diagnostic artifacts pointed to a 19th to early 20th-century date for the site. A 1905 USGS quad map depicts a structure in the general vicinity of 18CV481, suggesting that this was a domestic site. Based on these findings, Phase II testing was recommended, which was subsequently carried out in 2007.

Archival background research showed that the modern parcel on which Site 18CV481 is situated was originally two separate tracts. One of these tracts dates back to at least 1870, when it was inherited by a Robert J. Sorrell from his father Richard. Beyond that date, little can be said because early records have been destroyed by a fire in the Calvert County courthouse. Robert would hold onto the parcel until March 29th, 1904, when he sold the property to Lucy Johnson. None of the deeds of sale provide text descriptions of buildings transferred in any of the sales, but (as mentioned previously) a 1905 USGS quad map depicts a structure in this location. This makes it highly likely that a house was already present when Lucy Johnson acquired the property.

Lucy Johnson's heirs defaulted on tax payments on the property and it was subsequently sold at public auction to a Samuel C. Cox in 1942. A year later he sold the property to James W. Pardoe, who also acquired a second property (15 acres known as the Gideon Johnson tract) in 1946. The combined tracts were eventually sold by members of the Pardoe family to BG&E in 1985.

Phase II field investigations began with the excavation of 97 STPs at 4.6 meter (15 ft) intervals. Forty-three positive STPs produced a total of 142 artifacts, and revealing three low density clusters. Cluster 1 fell within the northwest quadrant of the site. Cluster 2 in the southwest to south-central portion of the site. Cluster 3 was within the southeastern quadrant. The STP work was followed by the excavation of 7 judgmentally placed test units that varied in size (30 X 90 cm up to 1.5 X 1.5 m).

No cultural features (other than plow scars) were identified during test unit excavations. Test unit excavations confirmed that this fallow (but previously cultivated) field exhibited an Ap-Bt soil horizon sequence within eroded soils across the site. Phase Ib and Phase II investigations produced a combined assemblage of 921 domestic artifacts.The diagnostic artifacts yielded a mean date of 1894 and a terminus post quem date of 1903 for the assemblage.

Site 18CV481 lacks integrity and does not possess the potential to address important research questions relating to the history of the region.

(Edited from the Maryland Historical Trust Synthesis Project)