“Return to Hollingsworth Farm” is the subject of a talk March 21st, 2012, at 7 p.m. at Greenbank Mill near Price’s Corner. The program is sponsored by the the New Castle Chapter of the Archaeological Society of Delaware.
Former Delaware State archaeologist Ron Thomas wrapped up an extensive investigation on this parcel in 1980 and this May the Archeological Society of Maryland’s Northeastern Chapter (ASMNC) continues Ron’s investigation during the 2012 Tyler Bastian Field School. In preparation for the school, which runs from May 25th to June 5th, the ASMNC recently rebagged and recataloged over 4,000 Hollingsworth Farm artifacts, from the 1980 investigation. Dan Coates, the ASM chapter president will review Ron Thomas’ data and describe the field school at Elk Landing.
Dr Jim Gibb (co-principle investigator for the field session), Peter Quantock of University of Denver and about a half dozen members of ASNC, were at the Hollingsworth Farm and Elk Landing today using ground penetrating radar and metal detectors to make a preliminary survey of the historic land as the group finalizes details for the field school.
The Annual Tyler Bastian Field Session in Maryland Archeology is one of ASM’s most popular programs. Named after Maryland’s first State Archeologist who began the Field Session in 1971 as a weekend field testing project, it has grown to today’s 11-day field and lab training program, complete with lecture series, workshops, and meal/camping facilities. The Field Session is held in cooperation with the State Office of Archeology.
The purpose of the Field Session is to introduce lay persons to archeological methods and to teach Maryland’s past through hands-on involvement, while making meaningful contributions to the study of Maryland archeology. Sites are selected for their research potential, endangerment (e.g., from erosion, development, etc.), and for their suitability as a training site. The program has worked well in that it provides a structured, professionally-directed excavation project for students and lay people, and provides the Office of Archeology’s professional staff with an eager, well-trained cadre of volunteer assistants.
The Field Session has investigated 28 different sites in 13 of Maryland’s 23 counties, ranging from prehistoric camps and villages to historic mills and plantations. It has fostered a tradition of cooperation and camaraderie between amateur and professional archeologists, putting Maryland at the forefront of nationwide efforts to involve present generations in our shared archeological past.
The story in the. Whig 3/22..on kids finding spearpoint, the grandfather called me and the President of the Harford County Arch. Soc and myself are going there to investgate the area.we did our rador ground searching of the ELK LANDING site.on Mon. & Tues. We are looking for remanents of buildings underground( blacksmith shop etc. We went over the area with 3 metal detectors and did find one grape shoot — 1 1/2 ” diam. and a few other things.. We just scratched the ground in hot spots 5-6″ deep. We are setting up a field training school for archeology may25th – june 4th.. Keep up your good work,
George…
Thanks for the update George and thanks for keeping us informed.