Wye House, 18TA314, Survey and Excavation Report

Abstract

Shovel testing and limited test excavations around the 'Captain's House' at Wye Plantation (18TA314) Talbot County, Maryland (Maryland Archaeological Research Unit 5) exposed a portion of a mid-18th century stone footer with a footprint of 18 ft wide and approximately 25 feet in length. All of the units yielded evidence of extensive disturbance to the deposits, with late historic and early historic artifacts mixed in every stratum. The disturbances probably result from building demolition and subsequent grading. A century or more may have separated those events. Artifact analysis suggests that the demolished building do not date much earlier than the middle of the 18th century, though 17th century artifacts were discovered under the foundation stratum. Due to the pending plans for the expansion and renovation of the Captain's House, the deposits around the building are likely to experience further loss of integrity.