Monocacy Archeological Society, MAS, Chapter of the Archeological Society of Maryland, Frederick, MD

Monocacy Archeological Society

Frederick, Maryland

Chapter of the Archeological Society of Maryland

Public volunteers can learn how to work on local archeological dig sites throughout Maryland, here's what you need to know!

Join MAS only $5 per year!

The Monocacy Archeological Society (MAS) promotes and encourages educational programs related to the archeological heritage of Frederick County and the surrounding region.

MAS members volunteer at archeological sites and help to record and preserve archeological information that supports local research and promotes public interest in archeology.

Dues are now payable for 2018 for the Monocacy Chapter, $5.00 per person per year, and for the Archeological Society of Maryland. Membership forms will be available at the meeting and online.

Next: November 14, 2018

The Monocacy Archeology Society will show Part 1 "The Early German Settlement of the Almost Blue Mountain City: The History of Thurmont, Maryland" in the Community Room of the C. Burr Artz Library, 110 East Patrick Street, on Wednesday, November 14, beginning at 7:00 p.m. This is part of Chris Haugh's 20 years of work preparing a history of the northern Frederick County town, including stories and interviews with local residents, which he completed in 2014. This will be an introduction to the continuing search for the "Lost Monocacy Church". MAS members have been looking for the church for some time, and we need to refocus our search, based on some new information. The film will help focus our discussion. The Monocacy Church was founded in 1738 and an actual building completed in 1743. We would appreciate everyone's ideas as to how to proceed based on this new information.

If Frederick County Public Schools are closed or close early because of inclement weather, the presentation will be rescheduled.

For more information, visit our web site, www.digfrederick.com or call 301-378-0212.

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Have you found unusual objects on your property? Our avocational and professional archeologists will examine them with you at our meetings and discuss their relevance, but keep in mind that often a pointed rock looks like an Indian arrowhead!

The Monocacy Archeological Society does not condone "Treasure Hunting" or looting archeological sites and therefore we do not place monetary value on artifacts.

Please remember that archeological data (and significance) is tied to the spatial (horizontal and vertical) relationships that artifacts and sites hold. Removing artifacts from their provenance irreparably loses key archeological context and may destroy all ability for associated residue or soil testing.

For more information about these events, watch the web sites for updates and program details. For more information, call 301-378-0212.

Dig Deeper into Maryland Archeology!

Archeological Society of Maryland

Maryland Historical Trust Archeology

Monocacy Battlefield Slave Village at L'Heritage Plantation

Jefferson Patterson Archeological Conservation Lab and Museum

Archeology in Annapolis

Annapolis 19th Century African American Life Dig

Anne Arundel Lost Towns Project

Port Tobacco Archeological Project Blog

Historic St Mary's City Archeology

Baltimore Historic Lloyd Street Synagogue 1845 Mikveh Discovery

The Middle Woodland Period in Central Maryland

Archeology at Wye House, Talbot County 2006

Anne Arundel Pig Point Site

Charles County, Piscataway Zekiah Fort Find

State Highways Archeology

Upcoming Archeological Events:

November 1-4 - Eastern States Archeological Federation annual meeting, Watertown, N.Y. esaf-archeology.org

March 21-24, 2019 - Middle Atlantic Archaeological Conference meeting, Ocean City. www.maacmidatlanticarchaeology.org/conferences.htm

Past Chapter Projects:

Rosenstock Site - Late Woodland village site, worked from 1979 to 1992, recently preserved by the Archeological Conservancy. It was discovered in the early twentieth century and collected by locals, it can be called the "first city" of Frederick, as village complexes were used here by Native Americans over hundreds of years and yields important insights into the connections between sites along the Potomac River and known sites further north. More Info Here.

Claggett Retreat Site Field School and Swomley Artifacts Display at C Burr Artz Library, Frederick. Article and Video

Read about local Chapter Member George Evans and his archeological pursuits.

Monocacy National Battlefield, Best Farm Site

A Civil War battlefield and encampment site. A French Caribbean family with perhaps the most slaves in the County.Â A barn built unlike any other North of Louisiana.Â Also native American sites.

Antietam Battlefield - Civil War

Metal detecting for artifacts on the battlefield, and the replanting of the 1860's orchard with the heirloom apple varieties that were cut to the ground by bullets during the battle.

The Search for the Lost Monocacy Log Church

Long before the clustered spires, a fabled, simple log structure served as the focal point of religious life in Frederick County. A few clues from the reports of missionary Palantine Ministers hint at its location without any certainty. From the old German diaries we glean a few clues and believe we have a sense of where the church may have been located, and its not where everyone seems to believe from local markers. But ground penetrating radar yields no further proof.

Local avocational archeologist and regionally respected Chapter Member Spencer Geasey donates his archeological library to Frederick.