Accokeek Vessels Under the Floorboards

Gregory Katz, RPAThe Louis Berger Group, Inc.

A tale of mystery, suspense, unusual preservation, and reconstruction

Conducted for:Department of the Navy

Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC), Washington

Source: Google Earth

Bolling AFB

At the back of a low terrace

Approximately 1,100 feet inland from shore

Source: Humphrey and Chambers 1977

45 village sitesknown to 19th C. collectors (Proudfit1889), 23 on east banks of Anacostia and Potomac Rivers

Known ossuaries on east side of the Potomac River near Bolling and the NRL

Part of Blue Plains Tract, patented 1662

William Marbury [1802-1835]

Washington and Thomas Berry [1835-1861/1862]

Tobacco farming in antebellum periodWilliam Marbury

Source: Boschke 1861

Military use during Civil War. Lowlands probably farms & orchards

Fort Stevens. Source: NPS

In 1873 arsenal moved from Navy Yard to Bellevue. Bellevue Magazinecreated

Landscaperelatively open

Neighborhood development in early 1900s

Source: USCGS 1892

Progressive development

Source: Baist 1913

Navy Housingbuilt in 1940 / 1941

Redeveloped in mid-1990s

Aerial Source: US Navy 1987View in 1997 (JMA)

81 STPs and 3 Test Units

0 50 100 150 200

(Rodent)

BE/Bw/Bt

E

(Features)

Ap

Fill

Lithics

Pottery

0 10 20 30 40 50 60

Bw/Bt

(Features)

A/Ap

Fill

Lithics

Pottery

FCR

FCR

Auger hole

Holes from soil auger

a. b.

c.d.

e. f.

g.

No lugs

Tapering, slightly pointed base

Approx. 13-16 inch diameter, 9 inch depth

Source: Mouer 1991

Jim Dolph (NAVFAC, Washington)

Carolyn Woods (NAVFAC, Washington)

Sara Rivers Cofield (MAC Lab)

Caitlyn Shaffer (MAC Lab)

Ruth Trocolli (DC City Archaeologist)

Charles LeeDecker (Berger)

Field Crew: Robin K., Jackie M., Mary P., Emily W.

Bolling AFB Home-School Group