Site L-1 (18ST670)

Site L-1 (18ST670) was occupied during the Late Archaic period and Middle and Late Woodland periods, as well as from the late 17th to 20th centuries. It is located along an unnamed tributary of McIntosh Run in Leonardtown, in St. Mary’s County.

Archaeological evidence for human activity in the general vicinity of the site goes back to at least the Early Archaic period. Middle Archaic materials were found at a nearby site, and a few sites in the area date to the Late Archaic period and Early, Middle, and Late Woodland periods.

In the early 1740s, Abraham Barnes acquired the lands that became known as Tudor Hall Plantation, including the location of 18ST670. The site area was used for agriculture, with no known structures. Philip Key purchased the property in 1813 and it remained with his family throughout the 19th century. An 1830 map depicts a building called the “Over Seers House” in the general area, but no other structures are known nearby until the 20th century.

Phase I archaeological investigations were conducted at the site in 1996 for the proposed Tudor Hall Village housing development. Of the 480 acres that were part of the development, 271 acres were subject to Phase I study. 18ST670 was located on the western edge of the central portion of the study area. A total of 52 shovel test pits were excavated across the site, revealing a buried plowzone or a possible remnant B-horizon that might contain cultural features. Prehistoric material was evenly distributed across the site, and represented an Archaic through Woodland period occupation. The historic period artifacts tended to cluster in the western portion of the site, with a diffuse brick scatter noted in the northern portion. They suggested a late 17th through mid-19th-century occupation.

Phase II investigations at 18ST670 occurred in 1997. A total of 95 shovel test pits and 15 test units were excavated. The test units were placed near the brick scatter and in the locations of historic and prehistoric artifact concentrations. No sub-surface cultural features were identified. Based on the artifacts, the brick scatter was identified as the location of a mid-19th through mid-20th-century tenant house, with an occupant of modest means. The second historic component, defined by a moderate concentration of domestic and architectural artifacts, was thought to be a late 17th through mid-18th-century earthfast structure.

The prehistoric artifacts recovered during the Phase II work fit into the general time range of Late Archaic to Late Woodland period as suggested by the Phase I lithic assemblage, and indicated sporadic, short-term occupations for hunting or resource procurement.

(Edited from the Maryland Historical Trust Synthesis Project)