Arundel Cove Archaeological Site facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Arundel Cove Archaeological Site
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| Location | Address restricted |
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| Nearest city | Baltimore, Maryland |
| NRHP reference No. | 83002921 |
| Added to NRHP | July 21, 1983 |
The Arundel Cove Archaeological Site is a special place near Baltimore in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. It is located on the south shore of Arundel Cove. This cove is a small waterway that flows into Curtis Creek, which then empties into the Patapsco River.
This site is important because it holds clues about people who lived there long ago. It was discovered by chance in 1981. Workers were doing routine checks at the U.S. Coast Guard Yard at Curtis Bay.
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What is the Arundel Cove Site?
The Arundel Cove site is an archaeological site. This means it is a place where scientists called archaeologists study human history. They do this by digging up and examining things left behind by people from the past.
How Was the Site Discovered?
Archaeologists found the site using a method called shovel test pitting. This involves digging small holes to see if there are any artifacts underground. The tests showed that the site is quite small. It measures only about 20 feet (6 meters) north to south and 15 feet (4.5 meters) east to west.
What Did Archaeologists Find?
The findings suggest this was a prehistoric summer camp. Prehistoric means a time before written records. It seems people used this camp for a short time and did not come back often.
Archaeologists found evidence of storage pits at the site. These were holes dug into the ground. Ancient people used them to store food or other important items.
Ancient Food and Storage
Inside these storage pits, scientists found traces of plants. They found evidence of galium, also known as bedstraw. They also found wild black cherry. This tells us what kinds of plants these ancient people might have eaten or used.
Why is This Site Important?
The Arundel Cove Archaeological Site helps us learn about the lives of early people in Maryland. Even though it is small, it gives us a peek into their daily activities. It shows how they used the land and what they ate.
Because of its historical value, the site was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. This listing helps protect the site and its history for future generations.
