Virginia - George Washington-Jefferson NF
Closed! Excavations at Eyre Hall & Survey at Craddock Creek: A Threatened Sites Project
VA-4239
May 9-20, 2015 (including weekends)
Must commit to minimum of three days
Join us for another great Passport in Time (PIT) project on the beautiful George Washington-Jefferson National Forest! This year, we will focus research on two sites: the first will be an excavation of a prehistoric site located near Eyre Hall in Northampton County. The second will be a survey and test excavation on units associated with two prehistoric sites located along Craddock Creek in Accomack County.
The Eyre Hall site in Northampton County is located on the grounds of a plantation house that was constructed in 1760. The extensive farm borders Cherrystone Creek to the west, and is easily reached from Route 13. The area to be excavated lies to the east of the main house, and consists of an isolated prehistoric site ranging from the Middle to Late Woodland Periods (ca. 300 B.C.-A.D. 1600), based on diagnostic artifacts and carbon samples. Also, from preliminary testing, there is a high probability of encountering sub-surface features, which will aid us in determining what the function of the site may have been.
The sites near Craddock Creek are in area formed into a narrow peninsula between Back Creek and a southern tributary of Craddock Creek. The first of the two sites (Site 44AC0510), is an eroding shell midden where diagnostic Middle to Late Archaic (ca. 5,000-1,000 B.C.) points have been recovered. This site is only accessible by boat. During previous, limited excavations at the second site (Site 44AC0126), a Late Woodland (ca. A.D. 800-1600) pot was identified. Our testing at both of these sites will further aid in determining the time period(s) and overall function(s) of the occupation(s).
Every one of these sites is under threat from increased erosional processes caused by sea level rise and catastrophic storms brought on by climate change. Although some information has already been lost, it is the goal of our 2015 project to recover as much data as possible from what is left of them. This is an incredibly important project, so please join us this spring and explore the threatened sites of the Eastern Shore!
Please note: Some of our excavation units will be adjacent to a beach; high tides may impact sites and field operations. Field conditions will be primitive and all participants will need to bring a lunch and plenty of water daily.
Number of openings: 26
Special skills: Must be physically capable of walking for long periods over moderate distances in varying terrain each day; must also be physically capable of kneeling/sitting/standing/stooping for long periods each day, and in a variety of weather conditions; previous archaeological survey, mapping, feature/artifact identification, sketching, and/or photography experience helpful, but not required
Minimum age: 12 years old, under 18 with a responsible adult
Facilities: Primitive tent camping available at no charge at Kirwan Hall (5.5 miles from Eastville) on the East Side of the Chesapeake Bay; water and chemical toilets provided by FS; Eastville, Exmore and Cape Charles are full-service communities hotels/ motels, restaurants, and a full range of other amenities; volunteers responsible for own lodging/personal camping equipment, food, and daily transportation to designated meeting area. Selected PIT volunteers will be provided with directions and orientation materials.
Nearest towns: Eastville, 20 miles; Cape Charles, 25 miles, Exmore, 25 miles
Applications due: April 13, 2015