Unearth Lost Towns with Archaeologists
In a wooded area of the 1,700-acre Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary, we’ll get our hands dirty at a unique excavation site, rediscovering a centuries-old Native American village with the Lost Towns Project. My crew and I will begin the workshop with a tour of Pindell Bluffs, showcasing the artifacts we've already discovered. We’ll also demonstrate common techniques used in archaeology fieldwork. Then you'll get to work, sifting and processing artifacts. Recently at this site, helpers and archeologists have found 8,000-year-old projectile points, ceramics, and ritualistically "killed" gorgets—purposefully broken pendants buried symbolically. These findings are among the most important discoveries in the Mid-Atlantic region, helping us better understand Native American populations who lived here thousands of years ago.
The 1,700-acre Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary is a public park rich in stone tools, projectile points, animal bones, and other prehistoric objects. Recent discoveries include one of the oldest artifacts found in Maryland: a 13,000-year-old Clovis point. In order to protect the privacy and integrity of the site, the exact location will be sent to attendees a few days prior to the event.
Hi. I’m Dr. Zac, a member of the Atlas Obscura community.
I am an expert in prehistoric cultures of the Eastern seaboard, specializing in lithic studies (stone tools!) and Paleo Indian research. I’ve led investigations at dozens of archaeological sites along Maryland's Patuxent River. I am also a member of the Lost Towns Project, a non-profit with a mission to bring the public on archaeological adventures with real archaeologists to discover, explore, and help preserve historic sites throughout the Mid-Atlantic. The Lost Towns team brings together professionals, volunteers, and students to study real sites, from Native American villages to 17th-century colonial towns. Our research and findings are often published in professional journals.
For questions about this experience, please contact me directly through Airbnb.
This is an outdoor event and highly interactive.
All participants must complete the liability waiver that will be sent, along with additional guidelines, prior to our adventure. For this event, the normal training period has been waived.
Be prepared to lift buckets, kneel, dig, and get dirty!
There are 10 spots available on this experience.
Guests ages 13 and up can attend.
- This event is highly interactive and we will be outdoors for a majority of it.
- You will need to stand for a majority of this event.
- There's a short hike into the site over uneven terrain.
- Weather-appropriate clothing
- Closed-toed footwear
- Water
- Bug spray and gardening gloves recommended
Any experience can be canceled and fully refunded within 24 hours of purchase. See cancellation policy.
Archaeology tools and equipment.
