Phase I Archaeological Investigations Near Mattapany Naval Air Station, Patuxent River St. Mary’s County, Maryland

This report summarizes the findings of the Mattapany Phase I Archaeological Survey, the goal of which was to identify and inventory all archaeological sites within the project boundary in accordance with Section 110 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended. The Mattapany Phase I Archaeological Survey took place on Naval Air Station Patuxent River (NASPAX) and is found in St. Mary’s County, within Maryland Archaeological Research Unit Number 9. The survey covered approximately 88 acres and consisted of 4509 shovel test pits, 223 surface collection units, and 8 excavation test units.

The survey located 15 archaeological sites, of which 13 were newly-identified and two were previously-known. Of these 15 sites, one is prehistoric, three are historic, and eleven are multicomponent. One site, 18ST734, is considered ineligible for the National Register of Historic Places. Another site, 18ST390, is already on the National Register. The amount of work done at a third site, 18ST655, has allowed the determination that it is eligible for the National Register. The remaining sites, 18ST389, 18ST656, 18ST657, 18ST658, 18ST730, 18ST731, 18ST732, 18ST733, 18ST735, 18ST736, 18ST737, and 18ST738, are potentially eligible, although further work is needed to assess them.