Biggs Ford Site (18FR14)

The Biggs Ford Site (18FR14) is a large, well-preserved, multi-component Native American village site located on the Monocacy River in Frederick County, Maryland. This possibly palisaded settlement was occupied by peoples of the Montgomery Complex (1000-1450 AD) and the Luray Complex (1300-1500 AD). Biggs Ford is one of only a handful of large Native American villages on the Monocacy River, and is the only known site in the Potomac River drainage that has major occupations by both the Montgomery and Luray complex peoples. Distinctly-shaped pits at the site, such as the elongated ones associated specifically with the Montgomery Complex, provide a unique opportunity to compare the community structures, economy, and social relationships of these two groups. Furthermore, the majority of the archaeological deposits at Biggs Ford remain intact, as it was only partially excavated.

The Biggs Ford Site has been known to relic collectors and amateur archaeologists for decades. Spencer O. Geasey first conducted limited sub-surface testing at the site in 1955, when he discovered several refuse-filled pits below the plow zone.

In October 1969, Geasey notified the Division of Archeology of the Maryland Geological Survey (MGS) that a proposed sewer interceptor from Walkersville to Frederick would cross the central portion of the site. With permission of the landowner, MGS conducted excavations within the pipeline’s impact area at 18FR14 from October 1969 until July 1970. A road grader was first used to remove 25 to 35 centimeters of plow zone from an area measuring 230-by-7-meters. Numerous subsurface features were revealed in the subsoil, including hundreds of post molds and 30 additional features, such as round and elongated pits, two rectangular structures with rounded edges, and ten Luray Complex burials that contained 18 individuals. Only a few post molds were cross-sectioned, but all other feature types within the trench were completely excavated. All soil was screened through ¼-inch mesh, and large samples of soil were removed to the laboratory and washed through fine window screen.

(Edited from Archaeological Collections in Maryland)