Phase II and Phase III Archaeological Database and Inventory
18WA487 Mt. Aetna
Diagnostic Artifact Data
Features
Summary
The Mt. Aetna site (18WA487), is an apparent Early-Late Archaic, and Early-Late Woodland period rhyolite processing camp. The site is located in the Hagerstown Valley, just west of South Mountain. It is situated near the confluence of Mt. Aetna Creek and Beaver Creek and was largely destroyed by the construction of a new traffic circle at the intersection of Route 66 and Mt. Aetna Road. However, it was the construction of the traffic circle that first led to the site’s identification and data recovery excavations. Soils at the site are Huntington silt and gravelly loams.
The site has been known to at least one local collector, Mr. George Higman, who’s family owned the property from 1936 until it was sold to Washington County in the 1980s. He collected artifacts from plowed fields on the farm. Mr. Higman brought his projectile point collection to the attention of the professional researchers working on the data recovery project in 2000-2001. Because the collection cannot be pinned down directly to Site 18WA487, but only to the general vicinity, these artifact counts are not included in the table above. However, the point collection photographed in the full site report includes at minimum 17 Bare Island-like points, 8 Savanna River-like points, 1 probable Pine Tree corner-notched point, 1 triangular point (probable Madison), 3 large broadspears, 7 bifurcate base points, 33 stemmed points, 44 side-notched points, 6 contracting stem points, 1 corner-notched point, and 3 other points. The first professional excavation at the site occurred in 2000, when a Phase I/II study was conducted in the “area of potential effect” for a proposed roundabout at the intersection of Route 66 and Mt. Aetna Road, and in the immediate vicinity.
The Phase I/II study began with establishment of a baseline and division of the project area into quadrants. A total of 54 shovel tests were excavated in the northwestern quadrant, 60 were excavated in the southwestern quadrant, and 16 were excavated in the southeastern quadrant to definitively locate the site and establish its boundaries. All shovel tests within the project area were placed at 10 m intervals and all measured 50 cm x 50 cm square. They were excavated to a minimum depth of 50 cm below surface or 10 cm into sterile subsoil. In addition to the shovel tests, 14 excavation units measuring 1 X 1 m were excavated in the southwestern and the northwestern quadrants. Five units were placed in the southwestern quadrant and the remainder went in the northwestern quadrant. All shovel tests and test units were excavated stratigraphically, using arbitrary levels within the natural strata when necessary. All soils were screened through hardware cloth. In addition, four backhoe trenches were excavated to examine the geomorphology and pedology of the area.
The Phase I/II work identified both prehistoric and historic occupations at the site. The historic component was located primarily in the southwestern quadrant of the project area. The densest prehistoric deposits were located in the northwestern quadrant, however, the prehistoric component clearly extended through the southwestern quadrant, and likely the northeastern quadrant as well (though, this area was not extensively tested). The historic component of this site dates primarily from the 19th and early 20th centuries, and is associated with the domestic activities of the Higmans (see above) in the 20th century, a Levi Shoup and his family in the latter part of the 19th century, a J. Troup in the mid-19th century, and with one Conrad Horine in the first half of the 19th century. In addition, Levi Shoup apparently operated a small blacksmithing forge in the southwestern quadrant of the site. Although other areas of the site contained historic materials, these were not found in significant concentrations, and were likely associated with casual discard or field scatter. A house foundation in the southwestern quadrant dated from ca. 1872 and probably was also built by Shoup. This house stood until ca. 1990, when it was demolished. Despite the presence of a foundation and cellar remnants, the process of razing the structure severely impacted site integrity in this area and no completely undisturbed historic strata were identified during testing. The historic deposits are not considered to be sufficiently intact to be considered significant.
Historic artifacts recovered during the Phase I/II work include 57 activity items, 1,874 architectural objects, 11 clothing articles, 1 furniture item, 1,562 kitchen-related items, 3 personal objects, 3 tobacco-related items, 11 arms-related objects, and 578 miscellaneous artifacts. The activity items were 3 toys (a marble, a doll part, and a harmonica), 2 pieces of auto glass, part of a light bulb, 3 metal file pieces, 2 machine parts, 19 non-electrical wire pieces, 11 washers, an iron buckle, 2 pieces of chain, 6 staples, 1 piece of copper ore, and 6 stable-related items (4 horseshoes and 2 horseshoe nails). Architectural artifacts were 191 fragments of brick, 103 pieces of mortar, 3 roofing shingles, a piece of roofing slate, 1 ceramic tile, 5 plate window glass fragments, 594 other window glass pieces, 910 nails (361 wire, 277 machine-cut, 10 handwrought roseheads, 3 handwrought L-headed, 1 T-head nail, and 258 unidentified), 64 other pieces of construction hardware (9 spikes, 15 screws, 21 bolts, 7 nuts, and 12 miscellaneous), 1 fencepost, and a piece of sewerage/drain tile. The clothing assemblage consists of 3 buttons (brass, white metal, and iron), a metal clothing buckle, 4 eyelets/rivets, and a thimble. The only furniture objects was part of a lock assemblage. The kitchen-related assemblage consisted of 1,113 ceramic sherds (2 sherds of tin-glazed Majolica, 1 Jackfield sherd, 4 creamware, 44 pearlware, 28 ironstone, 14 later porcelain sherds, 9 white-bodied earthenware, 16 yelloware, 2 Rockingham, 568 redware, 366 whiteware, 2 slipware, 13 unidentified earthenware sherds, 1 English Brown, 29 domestic brown stoneware, 9 domestic gray stoneware, and 5 miscellaneous stoneware sherds), 6 jar/glass lid fragments, 7 embossed bottle pieces, 15 table glass shards, 314 miscellaneous bottle fragments, 1 blown in mold bottle piece, 79 machine-made bottle fragments, a metal canning jar lid, 1 bottle opener, 1 pull-key type opener, 2 screw caps, 19 tin can fragments, part of a kitchen pot, part of a kitchen utensil, and a bone handle. The three personal artifacts recovered were 2 pennies and a Bakelite comb. The only tobacco related objects were a ball clay bowl and 2 pieces of stems. Eleven arms-related artifacts were encountered; six .22 rimfire cartridges and 5 shotgun shells. And finally, the miscellaneous objects from the site were 7 unidentified glass fragments, 68 sheet metal pieces, 46 unidentified fragments of metal, a piece of slate, 7 unidentified pieces of stone, 2 paper objects, 2 chips of paint, 40 pieces of plastic, 7 fragments of coal, 25 fragments of coal slag, and 373 other slag pieces.
No definitive prehistoric features were identified during the testing, but the presence of areas of high lithic density in sub-plowzone contexts argued strongly for the presence of potential features or activity concentrations. Examination of the stratigraphic sequence in both units and trenches indicated a strong potential for intact Ab horizons in the terrace soils adjacent to Beaver Creek and Mt. Aetna Creek. In addition, artifacts were recovered from sub-plowzone contexts. Diagnostic artifacts were also recovered, which indicate occupation during the second half of the Late Archaic, the Transitional Period, and the Early Woodland Period.
Prehistoric artifacts encountered during the Phase I/II work include 10 points, 20 other bifaces, 2 cores, 22 retouched flakes, 2,106 pieces of debitage, 111 fragments of fire-cracked rock, 1 groundstone artifacts (a mano), 1 use-modified objects (a hammerstone), and a fragment of pigment. Among the points are a Fishtail-like point, 4 Transitional stemmed points, 2 Susquehanna Broadspears, 1 possible Palmer, and 2 Late Archaic side-notched points. The vast majority of these lithic objects were made of rhyolite. Based on the high artifact densities, the presence of undisturbed stratigraphic sequences in many portions of the site, and the presence of diagnostic artifacts suggesting a relatively narrow period of occupation, it appeared that the prehistoric component of Site 18WA487 retained sufficient integrity and possessed sufficient data to address important research questions about prehistoric activities in the region. One of the primary research issues centers on the nature of the distribution and exchange of rhyolite in the Mid-Atlantic region (see the Mt. Aetna project cover sheet). Thus, data recovery excavations were recommended and conducted prior to the construction of the new roundabout, with the overall goal of obtaining answers to some of these research questions.
Phase III data recovery took place in 2001 and focused on the prehistoric components of the site. Historic deposits were encountered (and are detailed below), but these were, again, found to be largely disturbed and historically insignificant. Phase III efforts began with the excavation of 63 shovel tests associated with the installation of a temporary fence at the site. These shovel tests were spaced at roughly 3 meter intervals and corresponded with the future locations of oak fence posts. Information gained through these shovel tests was used, in conjunction with previous survey and evaluation data, in the placement of excavation blocks at the site. Following the fence line shovel tests, sixteen 1 X 1 meter test units were excavated to more completely sample and identify prehistoric activity areas at the site. Including the original 14 Phase II test units, the information from these thirty 1 X 1 m test units was used to place four large excavation blocks at the site. An additional 58 1 X 1 m test units and eight 1 X 0.5 meter or smaller test units were excavated within these four blocks to recover additional information from identified activity areas at the site. Artifacts from these test units were collected in 0.5 X 0.5 m quadrants within the larger units. These four large excavation blocks functioned as the primary means for recovering data about prehistoric activities at the site. Finally, four 1 X 1 m test units were excavated on the floodplain of Beaver Creek to examine deeper strata bearing cultural remains. After completion of archeological data recovery efforts on the prehistoric component of the site, minimal backhoe stripping was undertaken in the southwest quadrant of the intersection in an effort to determine the location of a well and cistern associated with the demolished historic structures. Although the historic component of the site had already been deemed to lack integrity and historic significance, the Maryland SHA was concerned about potentially unfilled subsurface features within the proposed construction footprint for the new traffic circle. Thus, the search for these features was carried out largely for construction-related purposes rather than archaeological reasons.
Historic materials encountered during the Phase III data recovery at 18WA487 include 4 activity items, 89 architectural objects, 3 clothing items, 1 furniture object, 194 kitchen artifacts, 1 arms-related artifact, and 154 miscellaneous items. The activity items are a rivet, 1 miscellaneous hardware item, 1 stable item, and a piece of flower pot. The architectural objects were 3 pieces of brick, a piece of architectural stone, 22 pieces of plate window glass, 2 unidentified glass architectural objects, 45 nails (4 wire, 10 machine cut, 31 unidentified nails), 2 screws, 1 bolt, a metal hook, 3 miscellaneous pieces of architectural hardware, and 9 unidentified metal architectural objects. The three clothing objects were a ceramic object (button?), a belt buckle, and an eyelet/rivet. The only furniture object is an unspecified glass item. Kitchen-related artifacts were 2 sherds of buff-bodied earthenware, 5 creamware sherds, 15 pieces of pearlware, 3 ironstone fragments, 1 piece of later porcelain, 3 Rockingham sherds, 35 pieces of redware, 31 whiteware sherds, 3 pieces of slipware, 1 fragment of industrial stoneware, 2 domestic brown stoneware sherds, 2 domestic gray stoneware sherds, 1 unidentified ceramic object, 2 jar/glass lid fragments, 6 pieces of table glass, 44 unidentified bottle glass shards, 5 blown-in-mold glass pieces, 13 machine-made bottle fragments, a crown cap, 15 pieces of unidentified metal kitchen objects, and four animals bones (1 cow bone). A shotgun shell was the only arms-related object identified. And finally, several miscellaneous historic artifacts were encountered; 4 pieces of glass, 78 pieces of metal, and 72 fragments of slag.
Prehistoric archeological features were encountered during Phase III work. These features were primarily concentrations of lithic debitage, indicative of multiple, discrete lithic reduction episodes. Other prehistoric features and potential prehistoric features were characteristic of small pits or hearths and posts, potentially associated with short-term habitation. No post patterns suggestive of structures, large storage pits, or large hearths were identified at Site 18WA487. The lack of substantial structural features or large domestic features suggests that the site did not support a large population for extended periods of habitation. Two of the features did provide datable carbon. A small hearth (Feature 35-02) yielded wood charcoal, 33 flakes, 1 early-middle stage rhyolite biface, 1 piece of Black walnut shell, and a piece of fire-cracked rock. Radiocarbon dating returned an uncalibrated date of 1150±90 years before present, thus associating the feature with the latter part of the Middle Woodland period. Other diagnostic artifacts recovered from the larger excavation block (Block B) indicate primary occupation during the Late Archaic/Transitional into Early Woodland Period. Indications of later Woodland activity at Block B include a possible Early to Middle Woodland Chesser Notched projectile point/knife and a Late Woodland triangular (probable Madison) point. The possible Chesser Notched projectile point/knife was recovered from the overlying remnant A horizon in a test unit adjacent to Feature 35-02. A C-14 date was also obtained from Feature 81-01/83-01, another possible hearth. Artifacts recovered from the feature include 19 pieces of rhyolite debitage, 5 pieces of chert debitage, 4 pieces of quartz debitage, and hickory wood charcoal. Radiocarbon dating of the charcoal returned a date of 2410±120 years before present, placing it within the early part of the Middle Woodland Period. This does not fit well with some of the diagnostic projectile points recovered nearby. Upon removal of the western half of the feature, somewhat amorphous edges and bottom suggested that the feature actually represented the remnants of a burnt tree root rather than a hearth. The inconsistent radiocarbon date and amorphous nature of the charcoal stain indicate that the feature could represent intrusive natural disturbance.
A total of 15,609 prehistoric artifacts were recovered during data recovery. Nineteen points were recovered including 5 Bare Island points, 1 MacCorkle-like point, 1 Normanskill-like point, 1 Brewerton side-notched point, 1 other Brewerton point, 1 Chesser Notched, 1 possible Madison point, 1 Selby Bay, 1 St. Albans, 4 Savanna River points, 1 Helgrammite, and 1 possible Drybrook-fishtail point. Other flaked stone artifacts include 111 bifaces, 18 cores, 174 utilized flakes, 4 unifaces, and 15,092 pieces of debitage. Other artifacts recovered during Phase III were 161 pieces of fire-cracked rock, two groundstone objects (1 quartzite and 1 notched sandstone object), a steatite fragment, 5 heated cobbles, 12 miscellaneous stone objects (manuports?), 5 burnt nuts/seeds, and 5 pieces of burnt wood.
In addition to the radiocarbon sampling, several artifacts were subjected to further testing procedures. Twelve lithic artifacts were submitted for immunological analysis of animal protein residues. Positive reactions to deer antiserum were found on two projectile points (FS 546 & 948). Rabbit was also identified on one of these points (FS546). As cross-reactions do not occur between deer and rabbit, this indicates the presence of two distinct species on this single artifact. Blood and/or sinews of one of these animals may have been used in a hafting process. A stemmed projectile point (FS 11942) elicited a positive reaction to cat antiserum. Any member of the Felidae family may be represented by this result. No positive reactions were obtained on any of the remaining objects. Seven soil flotation samples and four hand collected carbon samples were submitted for ethnobotanical analysis. Details related to the ethnobotanical remains can be found in the linked ethnobotany profile, but a wide variety of wild plant resources made significant contributions to site economy as food and fuel. The wood assemblage documents a reliance on local native forest elements and may reflect a preference for high-calorie fuel woods like oak, hickory, and maple. Comestible plant remains are limited within the assemblage, being confined to small quantities of hickory and black walnut shells, cherry, and pokeweed. And finally, but perhaps most importantly, a very large sample of rhyolite raw materials was submitted for visual characterization, electron microprobe, and neutron activation analysis to identify source. These various methods of sourcing produced results which were somewhat at variance to one another. However, the results of neutron activation analysis (NAA) produced chemical signatures of rhyolite sources which closely resembled results from other studies on Maryland and Pennsylvania rhyolites. Thus, the results of NAA work were regarded, tentatively, as the most reliable. Such unexpected results may relate to the inherently heterogeneous nature of some of the local rhyolite. The inhabitants of the site appear to have favored locally available sources from the exposed rhyolite outcrops on South Mountain in Maryland and Pennsylvania. However, some rhyolite artifacts from Site 18WA487 sourced to quarries as distant as North Carolina.
Prehistoric activities at Site 18WA487 focused primarily on the reduction of locally available lithic raw materials. These lithic raw materials included several types of rhyolite, available from nearby quarry sites on South Mountain, and cobbles of chert and quartz, likely obtained from local stream beds or the gravel deposits forming a Pleistocene terrace at the site. The nature of the features present seem to indicate that the site did not support a large population and was short-term in nature; a camp. Activity seems to have peaked during the Late Archaic, Transitional, and Early Woodland Periods. Exploitation of locally available rhyolite also appears to have been heaviest during this period. Site 18WA487 likely served as a temporary campsite with repeated, short-term habitation as groups traveled along the western edge of South Mountain. The Pleistocene terrace, on which the present day Maryland Route 66 has been constructed, may have served as a dry, level landform for traversing north-south through the Beaver and Antietam Creek drainages. From this north-south route, prehistoric groups could exploit natural east-west drainages for access to the eastern slope of South Mountain. These east-west trending streams would have also served as fresh water sources for groups exploiting the locally available lithic materials. The site today has been largely destroyed by the construction of the traffic roundabout atop it.
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