St. Leonard in Calvert County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Excavation Process Gathers the Most Information

Kings Reach Site

Photographed By Don Morfe, February 10, 2015

1. Excavation Process Gathers the Most Information Marker

Inscription. Before excavations began, archaeologist collected artifacts from the surface of the plowed field to determine the site’s size and age. Based on the location of these objects, researchers developed a plan to gain the maximum amount of information with a minimum of digging.

First, the layer of soil already disturbed by centuries of plowing was removed and screened to recover all the artifacts. After removing the plow zone, a number of features were revealed. To a trained eye, the features were easy to see; for example, the soil in the filled-in cellars was different in color than the surrounding soil. Each feature’s dimensions were carefully measured and mapped. By excavating only small sections at a time, archaeologists were able to determine a feature’s size, shape, and function with least amount of damage.

At this site, archaeologist excavated 1434 squares measuring 2 meters (about 6.5 feet) on each side to reveal what had been hidden for nearly 300 years.

(Inscription on the three images on the left)
Surface collecting objects in the field, 1984. Excavating plow zone, 1998. Mapping the site, 1998.

(Inscription on the two images on the right)
Professional and volunteer archaeologist screen and remove objects from the plow zone. King’s Reach features are indicated by darker soil, 1984.

Topics. This historical marker

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is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1434.

Location. 38° 24.123′ N, 76° 30.697′ W. Marker is in St. Leonard, Maryland, in Calvert County. Marker is on Jefferson Patterson Park Road. The marker is located on the grounds of the Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Saint Leonard MD 20685, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. What Life Was Like Here (a few steps from this marker); King's Reach Post Mold Patterns (within shouting distance of this marker); Evidence Found in the Ground (within shouting distance of this marker); Indian Life at the Stearns Site (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); War on the Water (about 600 feet away); Discovery of a Colonial Plantation (about 600 feet away); Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Leonard.

Excavation Process Gathers the Most Information-Out line of buildings in the background image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Don Morfe, February 10, 2015

2. Excavation Process Gathers the Most Information-Out line of buildings in the background

Distant shot of the King's Ranch Site image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Don Morfe, February 10, 2015

3. Distant shot of the King's Ranch Site

Sign at the entrance to Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Don Morfe, February 10, 2015

4. Sign at the entrance to Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on February 19, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 341 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 19, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.