Thomas Point (18ST570)

Thomas Point (18ST570) is a multicomponent prehistoric site with short-term occupations starting in the Late Archaic period, and includes several Middle to Late Woodland period shell middens. It is located on a promontory of Myrtle Point, along the lower Patuxent River in St. Mary’s County. The site is now part of Myrtle Point Park, a county recreational facility.

The Archaic and Woodland periods along the Lower Patuxent River were generally characterized by rising populations, increased sedentism, and the exploitation of a wider range of resources. The earliest shell middens in the area date to the Late Archaic. Unlike many other parts of the Chesapeake region, the Late Woodland and Contact periods along the Patuxent were not as strongly marked by political nucleation and status differentiation. European settlement of Myrtle Point had begun by the early 1640s, and the native populations withdrew further up the river.

18ST570 was one of 37 sites identified in 1986-1987 during a Phase I archaeological survey for a proposed residential development. Approximately 113 shovel test pits were dug on the site, revealing areas of both plowed and intact shell midden, along with distinct artifact clusters dating from the Late Archaic to the Late Woodland. A 19th-century component at the south end of 18ST570 was given its own site number, 18ST580.

Because the Thomas Point site could not be avoided during construction, Phase II and III investigations were conducted there in 1987-1988, consisting of 124 test units and a backhoe trench. There were also six column samples excavated for flotation analysis, along with three soil samples. Oyster shells from the column samples and features were analyzed in detail, as were other faunal and archeobotanical remains. Eight cultural features were identified at 18ST570. Most were pits, some intentionally dug and others re-purposed tree falls, that were used for roasting and/or refuse disposal.

Large numbers of lithic artifacts and ceramics were recovered at Thomas Point. The pottery consisted mostly of shell-tempered Mockley, Sullivan Cove, and Townsend Series wares. Artifact distributions indicated that there were temporally-discrete occupation loci across the site, as well as areas that were favored for activities such as shellfish processing or stone tool production.

In 1990, a pedestrian survey was conducted at 18ST570, and 16 shovel test pits were excavated there, ahead of construction of a proposed Washington Gas Light Company pipeline. A total of 394 prehistoric artifacts were recovered. Based on the results, the pipeline right-of-way was moved to avoid the site.

Six radiocarbon dates were obtained from Thomas Point during the Phase III investigations. They, along with artifact evidence, suggest that the primary use of the site occurred between 880 and 1070 AD., the late Middle Woodland and early Late Woodland periods. Less intensive occupation of 18ST570 occurred during the Late Archaic, Early Woodland, and earlier Middle Woodland periods. The site appears to have been inhabited for short periods at various times of the year, and a range of foodstuffs and other resources were collected there.

(Edited from the Maryland Historical Trust Synthesis Project)