Deep Run 6 (18HO19)

The Deep Run 6 Site (18HO19) is located southeast of Jonestown in Howard County, Maryland. It is one in a series of small prehistoric sites occupying separate ridges and knolls overlooking Deep Run. The general area has been known to local collectors since the late 19th century, but it wasn’t until 1971 that Deep Run 6 was identified as a discrete site. It was defined during a survey that was part of an anthropology class at the University of Maryland, College Park. On a subsequent site visit in the late 1970s, archaeologists observed 40 to 50 rhyolite flakes on the surface of recently plowed fields. Once the current alternate for Route 100 was chosen, a thorough Phase I survey of the right-of-way was conducted in 1987. Five randomly placed shovel test pits (STPs) fell within the area of 18HO19.

The Phase I researchers recommended that the site be subject to Phase II since approximately one-half of the site lay within the proposed right-of-way for the highway, while the other half was slated for development by Macks Homes, Inc. Phase II work was carried out in 1989.

In all, 93 STPs and 4 trenches were excavated which revealed the presence of a previously unknown historic component at the site. Four features were revealed: Feature 1, a posthole and postmold; Feature 2, a rectangular root cellar; Feature 3, a postmold similar in shape and form to Feature 1; and Feature 4, a posthole and postmold adjacent to the root cellar (Feature 2). The root cellar, with evidence of a structure (postholes/molds) in close proximity, suggests a domestic occupation of some sort, probably dating to the middle of the 18th century (based on the artifact assemblage).

Twelve 1 X 1 meter test units were also opened during Phase II investigation. No cultural features were encountered in any of these test units. Only five artifacts were recovered from sub-plowzone levels, and each of these artifacts was found in the first level of subsoil below the plowzone.

Less than 250 artifacts were recovered during Phase II investigations. One hundred forty were prehistoric lithics, including 1 Late Archaic expanded stemmed point, and 1 Middle Archaic period Neville-like point. Sixteen were prehistoric ceramics, all Potomac Creek body sherds. The 87 historic artifacts collected included 1 activity item, 40 architectural objects, 35 kitchen-related artifacts, 7 tobacco-related items, 2 arms objects, and 4 unidentified objects.

(Edited from the Maryland Historical Trust Synthesis Project)