Phase I Archaeological Survey for the National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Montgomery County, Maryland

A Phase I Archaeological Evaluation was conducted by EAC/A Archaeology within a roughly 14.3 acres study area at the National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, in Montgomery County, Maryland. As surface visibility was limited, all testing consisted of subsurface excavation, and a total of 350 STPs were excavated on a 10m rectilinear grid

This survey identified five prehistoric sites, and a large area of mixed and apparently redeposited historic materials. The majority of historic material was modern and found in disturbed context. Based on the amount of prior disturbance noted, these historic material have not been registered as an archaeological site, and are not recommended for further study.

The prehistoric material recovered included a number of quartz flakes, several informal tools, and other quartz lithics and debitage. Five sites were located on hill slopes and summits between tributaries to Stoney Creek. All sites identified consisted of lithic scatters from an indeterminate period of prehistory.

Two sites, 18MO644 and 18MO646, appear to be primarily intact lithic scatters representative of short term campsites during an indeterminate period of Prehistory. One site, 18MO645, represents a small lithic scatter composed primarily of shatter. The fourth site, 18MO647, yielded an early stage biface, but also exhibited characteristic suggesting redeposited slope wash. Finally, one site (18MO648) appears to be a lithic scatter representative of a short term resource procurement camp, with moderate density and variability within the lithic assemblage. However, the topographic context of this site, and the unusually high gravel content noted in the soil matrix, suggest the some portion of the site may represent redeposit of eroded soils from high on the ridge.

After MHT review, and by letter dated April 18, 2007, all five site were considered not potentially eligible for listing in the National Register as they have little potential to yield significant information through further study, and no further work is recommended for these sites.