The Monocacy Boulevard Bridge Site (18FR750)

The Monocacy Boulevard Bridge Site (18FR750) is a deeply-buried, stratified Early and Late Woodland site situated on the north floodplain of the Monocacy River. Site 18FR750 appears to have served as a short-term camp or resource procurement site. The general character of the assemblage recovered from the site is indicative of a range of activities including stone tool production, tool maintenance, and food preparation.

Phase I, II, and III excavations performed from 1999-2001 at the Monocacy Boulevard Bridge Site (18FR750) have revealed a prehistoric occupation horizon associated with a buried A horizon (Ab horizon) stratified beneath a significant fill of alluvium deposited during the late prehistoric and early historic periods. This alluvium protected the site from historic plowing leaving it with a high degree of physical integrity. This intact cultural component was encountered across nearly the entire excavated project area. The component was characterized by a series of distinct activity areas scattered across the floodplain (but most notably in the southern portions of the site). These areas include six fire-cracked rock features and two possible prehistoric features. Activities represented in the site assemblage include lithic production, stone tool maintenance, and food production; activities indicative of short-term camps or resource procurement sites. A majority of the activity in the southern portion of the site appears to relate to Montgomery and Luray Complex occupations dating from the Late Woodland period. A feature associated with earlier (possibly Selden Island) Early Woodland occupation is set back 40 m from the riverbank.

(Edited from the Maryland Historical Trust Synthesis Project)