About Archaeology in Annapolis
     

What is Archaeology in Annapolis?

 

 
 
 

Archaeology in Annapolis is a partnership between the Department of Anthropology at the University of Maryland, College Park, and Historic Annapolis Foundation. Begun in 1981, the Archaeology in Annapolis project has been concerned with promoting better understandings of Annapolis’ diverse past through the interpretation of material culture.
     
 
Archaeology in Annapolis has excavated over 40 sites in its 20 year history. The 1980s excavations of the Calvert House uncovered a number of remarkable features, such as the 18th century well seen in this photo. (Photo courtesy of Archaeology in Annapolis.)
 
     

What does Archaeology in Annapolis do?

Over the past 20 years Archaeology in Annapolis has run an annual field school in urban archaeology and has excavated over forty sites throughout the city’s historic district. Archaeology in Annapolis has continually structured these series of annual excavations around forms of public archaeology, through public tours of archaeological sites or interpretive exhibits that showcase archaeological excavations. We have attempted to promote an inclusive form of Annapolis’ history.
     
 
Public archaeological tour at the Courthouse site.(Photo courtesy of Archaeology in Annapolis.)
 
     

Why do archaeology in the first place?

Archaeology is more than just digging old stuff out of the ground. Archaeology is a way of learning about the daily lives of people that have been excluded from history books— enslaved African Americans, members of the working class... 
     
 
By focusing on everyday objects, archaeology is able to better interpret the way people in the past actually lived, versus the way they are commonly presented in history books. (Photo courtesy of Gary Aten.)
 
     
Archaeology in Annapolis designed a two-step process that sought to (1) uncover contemporary inequalities in daily life, and (2) utilize public archaeology as a means of presenting the idea that these inequalities were not inevitable but instead could be corrected through archaeology.Over the years, Archaeology in Annapolis’ research foci have changed, but the dedication to research on inequality has remained a constant.
     
 
Archaeology at the Green Print Shoputilized the interpretation of material culture as a means of focusing on the daily life of one particular woman, Anne Catherine Green, to create a more inclusive history. (Photo courtesy of Gary Aten.)
  
     

Who does the archaeology?

The majority of Archaeology in Annapolis’ projects interpreted in this web-based guide have been undertaken by students in the annual field school, local volunteers, and numerous members of the project’s staff. Supervised by the Project Director, Mark P. Leone, the hard work and dedication of many people have made the project possible and have contributed to its productivity. Visit the Archaeology in Annapolis project bibliography and see for yourself the extensive contributions to Annapolis’ history that have been made over the years.
     
 
Archaeological excavations at the Green Print Shop were run as part of the Archaeology in Annapolis annual Field School in Urban Archaeology. (Photo courtesy of Archaeology in Annapolis.)
  
     

How can the public be a part of Archaeology in Annapolis? 

We need your help! Archaeology in Annapolis welcomes all public interest in our previous archaeological excavations and upcoming programs. We currently offer several opportunities to participate in the archaeological creation of history, either through our annual field school in urban archaeology or through a series of public programs. Please contact us and take part in the creation of your history.