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2015 Tyler Bastian Field Session in Maryland
Archeology
Biggs Ford Site (18FR14), Frederick County, Maryland
May 22 – June 1, 2015
Welcome to the 2015 Field Session, sponsored by the Archeological Society of Maryland, Inc.,
with the assistance of the Maryland Historical Trust, the American University, and Towson University.
The information contained in this document should help make your experience enjoyable, informative,
and safe.
The 2015 ASM Field Session will be held at the Biggs Ford site. In addition to contributing to
an active research program by digging, screening and washing artifacts in the field, participants will
have the opportunity to learn about many aspects of archeology through a variety of planned on-site
activities and events.
What to Bring
The site is a planted agricultural field. While mostly cleared, the site may have poison ivy and
brambles. Ticks, mosquitoes and deer flies, of course, are endemic. You should wear comfortable,
loose clothing. Long sleeves, trousers, and gloves are recommended as protection from insects and
poison ivy. Lyme disease transmitted by ticks may be a risk; tight cuffs afford some protection.
Sturdy shoes or boots are required for protection from sharp tools. Protection from the sun should also
be carefully considered. Sunscreen and a hat, at a minimum, are strongly recommended.
Major equipment and supplies, including limited drinking water, will be provided. We prefer
that participants pack a lunch to minimize off-site time and to avoid interfering with lunchtime
activities, such as lectures and workshops. Any tools or equipment needed will be available, but if you
wish you may bring and use your own tools.
Here is a list for your consideration:
1. Pencil
2. Work gloves
3. Insect repellent
4. Raingear
5. Sunscreen
6. Drinking water
7. Your lunch (!!)
8. Pointing trowel, 4.5 or 5 inches long, dropped forged (Marshalltown recommended)
9. CAT book if you intend to fulfill some of the requirements for certification
Information/Sales
A combined information/sales area will be set up each day near the site. Please check in at the
information table each day when you arrive. Some field equipment, including line levels,
Marshalltown trowels, gloves, as well as special 2015 Field Session T-shirts, and a selection of books
on archeology, will be available for sale each morning.
Field Session 2015, Page 1
Agenda
Fieldwork will be from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM each day with a lunch break from 12:00 noon to
1:00 PM. Work will begin at about 10:30 AM on the first day, Friday, May 24. There is no parking at
the site, and ASM will run a shuttle van from parking areas that have been pre-arranged. The closest
parking is about one mile from the site and there is NO sidewalk.
Orientation/safety lectures will be presented at 8:30 AM and 1:00 PM daily (as needed) to
introduce new arrivals to the site and field procedures. Every Field Session participant must attend one
orientation/safety lecture before participating.
A field lab will be set up near the site with the goal of cleaning and drying as much of the
recovered material as possible by the end of the Field Session. Work in the lab provides an alternative
for persons wanting a break from digging, from the sun, unable to dig, or missing an orientation.
Educational Opportunities and Special Events
Field Session staff is organizing daily lunchtime lectures. All of these are open to anyone
interested. The complete schedule will be posted, as plans are finalized.
Spencer O. Geasey Field Session Evening Lecture: Dr. Robert Wall (Towson University), Thurmont
Regional Library, 76 East Moser Rd., Thurmont, MD., 6:30PM Thursday May 28
Lunchtime lectures:
29 May - Recreating prehistoric ceramics, Lynne Bulhack
Social:
30 May - Annual Field Session Feast
Lodging
ASM will NOT be arranging for lodging at the field session. However, there are hotels
available nearby that are convenient to the site.
Limited primitive camping will be available at Walkerville's Heritage Farm Park. There is a
strict limit of 15 SMALL tents on the site. Please contact Charlie Hall at 410.514.7665, or by email at
[email protected] to check availability for any particular day. Due to limits, anyone not
staying on-site will need to remove their tent during periods of absence. ASM will be providing a
porta-pot and hot water field shower for use by campers. Campers should plan to provide their own
cooking equipment/utensils, should they decide to prepare breakfast and/or dinner. Open fires or
charcoal are prohibited at the campsite, but there is an area of the Farm park that can be used for that
purpose. Campers should plan to set up at the end of a given workday, so that we can caravan to the
site. Directions to the camp site will be provided at the field session itself.
Additional camping is available at Cunningham Falls State Park. Campers must arrange their
own spaces at that facility.
Field Session 2015, Page 2
Directions to the Parking Area
Monday through Saturday:
Take I-70, or I-270 to US-15 North (thru Frederick)
Stay on US-15N to Biggs Ford Rd (~7 miles)
Turn right on Biggs Ford Rd
Proceed ~2 miles on Biggs Ford Rd to designated parking areas on right at Fredericktowne Baptist
Church (8645 Biggs Ford Rd., Walkersville, MD 21793; GPS 39.481630, -77.366222). See
Attached map (Pg 4).
Parking at the churches is very limited. Participants are urged to carpool, if possible.
Sunday: For the two Sundays during the Session, parking at the church WILL NOT be available.
Parking will be at the Walkersville High School (81 W Frederick St, Walkersville, MD 21793).
Continue past Fredericktowne Baptist Church (see above) on Biggs Ford Rd 0.6 miles to Maple
Ave (Walkersville Feed Company will be on left).
Turn right on Maple Avenue.
Continue 0.4 miles to Frederick Street (“T” intersection).
Turn right on W. Frederick Street.
Continue 0.6 miles and bear right to Walkersville High School (just before intersection with MD
194/Woodsboro Pike, 81 W Frederick St, Walkersville, MD 21793; GPS 39.474809, -77.359766).
Follow entrance road to parking lot adjacent to tennis courts.
Site Transportation (IMPORTANT)
There is no parking at the site. ASM has arranged for off-site parking at the Fredericktowne Baptist
Church (every day except Sundays) approximately 1 mile to the east of the site, and at the
Walkersville High School on Sundays. A shuttle van will run between 8:00 AM and 8:30 AM every
morning, during lunch, and from 4:00 PM to 4:30 PM every afternoon. If you are unable to arrive and
depart during shuttle-times, you can reach Dr. Hall on his cell phone at 443.686.9680, and
transportation will be arranged.
Walking to the site from the parking areas is NOT recommended! The roads are narrow and NO
sidewalk is available over much of the route.
In case of inclement weather
Call the following work number to receive a recorded message about the field work if the weather
looks bad. Dr. Hall will post a notice by 6:30am if ASM is calling off the day’s events. The number to
call is 410-514-7665.
Field Session 2015, Page 3
Maps
Parking Monday through Saturday is being provided courtesy of the Fredericktowne Baptist Church.
Sunday parking is courtesy of the Walkersville High School.
Shuttle service will be provided each day from 8:00-8:30 AM, one run at lunch (noon) and again at the
end of the day (4:00 – 4:30 PM). Please park in the areas indicated and respect the needs of our hosts.
Carpooling is highly encouraged.
Park Here
Fredericktowne
Baptist Church
Walkersville
High School
Sunday
Parking
Inset Area
(above)
Frederick
Field Session 2015, Page 4