Loudoun Archaeological Foundation 2007 Schedule of Work Activities
Dr. David T. Clark, Executive Director and Principal Investigator for the Loudoun Archaeological Foundation, Inc., has announced the Foundation's schedule of special archaeological public education digs for this year, which are being conducted as a part of the county's 250th anniversary celebration.
In announcing these projects, Dr. Clark noted that "as a part of the Foundation's archaeological public education program, these excavations will be open for general public participation - for every one of all ages - from elementary school students, their parents to senior citizens. He also stated that "participants will observe basic archaeological investigation techniques (excavation, screening, and washing/classifying artifacts) and archaeologists will be available to explain site activities." Visitors will be invited to participate in some of these activities under the supervision of experienced archaeological staff. Our principal goal, said Clark "is to promote archaeological public education while emphasizing professional and ethical archaeological investigation practices, increase awareness of local archaeology, and encourage community members to become stewards of our common cultural heritage."
General public archaeological investigations will be conducted at three Loudoun County sites beginning in late June 2007:
The first investigation program will feature a mid-nineteenth pottery in the Town of Leesburg (near North and King Street) operated by Frederick Shafer, a German immigrant and patriarch of a mid-19th century Loudoun family. Public "Archaeology Days" scheduled for the Shafer Pottery are:
July 3, 2007 - 10 am to 3 pm July 11, 2007- 10am to 3pm July 14 (Saturday) 2007 - 10 to 3 pm August 8, 2007 - 10 am to 3 pm August 28, 2007 - 10 am to 3 pm
Another investigation program will be at Claude Moore Park in Sterling which features both a portion of the old Vestal's Gap Road and an 18th century "ordinary" that served travelers along that road. Public "Archaeology Days" scheduled for Claude Moore Park are:
June 27, 2007 -10 am to 3 pm July 4, 2007 -10 am to 3 pm July 9, 2007 - 10 to 3 pm July 22, 2007 - 10 to 3 pm August 14, 2007 -10 am to 3 pm August 30, 2007 - 10 am to 3 pm
The last investigation program will be conducted at the Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve and will involve excavations at the site of an early 18th century tenancy dwelling, as well as a possible prehistoric Native American encampment. Public "Archaeology Days" scheduled at Banshee Reeks are:
June 28, 2007 - 10 am to 3 pm July 5, 2007 - 10 am to 3 pm July 21, 2007 - 10 am to 3 pm August 11, 2007 - 10 am to 3 pm