Bevard-4 Site (18PR460)

The Bevard-4 Site, 18PR460, is an Early Archaic, Late Archaic, and Early Woodland short-term use camp north of Fort Washington in Prince George’s County, Maryland.

In the mid-1990s the Maryland State Highway Administration began a roadwork project on Maryland Route 5. The roadwork necessitated wetland mitigation at the Bevard Property. Several proposed mitigation sites on the Bevard property were examined in the fall of 1994 as part of the Phase Ib study. This work led to the discovery of 4 prehistoric archaeological sites and 1 historic site. Phase Ib fieldwork in the area of 18PR460 involved the excavation of 65 shovel tests (36 X 36 cm) along a 20 m grid. Two 1 X 1 m test units were also excavated in order to refine site stratigraphy.

A cultural feature was encountered in one of the test units, a cluster of fire-cracked rock interpreted to be a hearth. A sandy, possibly undisturbed soil horizon containing some artifacts was also encountered in 2 areas of the site. In addition, distinct clusters of artifacts were recognized. A total of 634 prehistoric artifacts collected consisted entirely of lithic artifacts. Diagnostic artifacts recovered include an Early Archaic Kirk point, 2 Late Archaic Lamoka points, and 1 Early Woodland Piscataway point.

The decision was made to proceed with Phase II testing at the site. The results of the shovel testing, coupled with on-site consultation with the project geomorphologist, were utilized to place twelve 1 X 1 m test units across the site. These units were located so as to test four previously defined clusters of artifacts as well as the fire-cracked rock feature located during the Phase Ib study. All excavated soil was screened through hardware cloth.

Phase II shovel testing and unit excavation, in conjunction with a detailed geomorphological study of the site and vicinity identified 3 features, in one of which was found the remains of an early Middle Woodland period Pope’s Creek vessel. Each of the three features was severely disturbed by plowing and exhibited very limited contextual integrity and interpretive potential. The buried sandy soil horizon that was identified during the Phase Ib study was determined to be disturbed as well.

Artifacts recovered during the Phase II testing include 1 Piscatway point, 7 bifaces, 18 cores, 175 flakes, 29 fragments of shatter, and 72 sand-tempered Pope’s Creek Net-Impressed body sherds.

In light of the considerable amount of disturbance in evidence at Site 18PR460, it was determined that the site did not have the potential to yield additional important information on Maryland prehistory beyond what had already been collected during the Phase Ib and Phase II studies. No further work was recommended or required prior to the construction of the wetland mitigation site. Any remaining archaeological deposits were likely destroyed during grading and landscaping of the site.

(Edited from the Maryland Historical Trust Synthesis Project)