ARCHAEOLOGISTS WELCOMED MEADOWOOD VISITORS
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Maybe you’ve read the historical markers on Gunston Road in Lorton, Virginia, relating the events of the Washington-Rochambeau Expedition in 1781? Dr. Douglas Comer, owner of Cultural Site Resource Management, is quite familiar with the French troop activity in the area so it is no surprise that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) — Eastern States, has contracted with him to begin an archaeology investigation. Dr. Comer’s credentials include serving as Co-President and Expert Member of the International Scientific Committee on Archaeological Heritage Management.On Saturday, April 9, Dr. Comer took BLM staff and volunteers on a short walk along the BLM’s Meadowood West Trailhead to the current dig site. French troops likely camped in this area on their way to fight the British at Yorktown. Professional Archaeologists Bernard Slaughter (Field Director) and Claire Hinson met the group and explained the contents of small brown bags of site samples which included pearlware, pewter, redware, creamware, cobalt blue glass, rhyolite and quartz minerals, most dating back to the 18th century or before.As Principle Investigator for this project, Dr. Comer plans for his team to expand their Shovel Test Plots (STPs) at Meadowood in search of a definite location for French troop encampment. He commented that they know the French were here, but pinpointing their exact historical location will take some time.The archaeologists also know from hours of research, that the French rented housing from local residents. What they need is a receipt to document the transactions, something a colleague in Connecticut is currently researching. STPs have stories to tell, but so do the archaeologists. For example, a nail found at the site led to a story about structures that were burned down just to harvest the nails, they were at such a premium for new construction.BLM staff provided further evidence of area historic treasures by showing the group foundation remnants of the Trice House. The BLM would like to understand the historic significance buried on Lower Potomac Field Station grounds and tell others stories of its past residents.So much history yet to be uncovered! The public is welcome to visit and view historic sites on public lands; however, metal detecting and collecting artifacts are not permitted.For more information on BLM activities, contact jeff_mccusker@blm.gov.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.