Loretto Branch Site (18SO147)

The Loretto Branch site (18SO147) is an Early to Middle Woodland period lithic scatter and an early to late 19th-century tenant/slave house. It is located along Loretta Branch, a tributary of the Manokin River in Somerset County.

A Phase I survey was conducted in 1990 by the Maryland State Highway Administration for a University of Maryland-Eastern Shore access road. A total of 255 shovel test pits were excavated in the project area, and surface collection was done in areas with good visibility. 19th-century artifacts were recovered from 16 shovel test pits within 18SO147.

A second Phase I investigation was undertaken in 1991, as the road’s proposed route had been modified. Four shovel test pits were excavated within the boundaries of 18SO147, but no artifacts were recovered.

Phase II testing in 1993 consisted of 196 shovel test pits and 11 test units, which were excavated in the areas of highest artifact density. The Phase II work expanded the site’s boundaries, and identified a small prehistoric component dating to the Early and Middle Woodland periods. No historic features, except for three possible post molds, were identified. 18SO147 was found to be ineligible for the National Register of Historic Places, and no further archaeology was recommended.

(Edited from the Maryland Historical Trust Synthesis Project)