new acquisition PRESERVING THE POTOMAC’S PREHISTORY

Preserving the Potomac’s Prehistory

The Conservancy acquires two important sites in Virginia.

Thunderbird Archaeology researchers investigate the Jeffrey Rockshelter. Their work has redefined the boundaries of the site.

Located on the Potomac River in Loudoun County in northern Virginia, the Jeffrey Rockshelter contains the remains of over 10,000 years of human activity. A few hundred yards from the rockshelter sits Jeffrey Village, an equally ancient site. Both of these sites are part of the Conservancy’s newest preserve in Virginia.

The Jeffrey Rockshelter was first investigated in the 1960s and ‘70s by the Archaeological Society of Virginia. These excavations produced a large amount of data, including hearths, postmolds, projectile points, bone, and fragments of steatite and ceramic vessels. Radiocarbon testing of samples from the site has produced a variety of dates, some of which are problematic; however, additional analysis of the artifact assemblage indicates the site was used from the Early Archaic through the Late Woodland period (a.d. 900-1400).

Recent work at the site by archaeologists with Thunderbird Archaeology, a Virginia-based cultural resource management firm, helped redefine the boundaries of the site to include the area surrounding the rockshelter. This area, which has not been disturbed, has significant research potential. “The rockshelter and its open air component represent a much revisited way station for prehistoric people traveling along the Potomac,” said archaeologist David Carroll, who worked on the project. spring • 2009

These three quartz biface fragments were recovered from activity areas near the Jeffrey Rockshelter. Quartz cobbles found in and around the river were used to make these types of tools.

“The variety of point and pottery types found at the site is unusual, if not unique for the Potomac Piedmont.”

The Jeffrey Village site was first identified in 1937 by Richard Slattery. Between 1964 and 1975, the Archaeological Society of Virginia conducted surface collections that recovered over 10,000 artifacts spanning 10,000 years. The main component of the site is a Mason Island-period village. Mason Island is a Late Woodland complex that was named after an island in the Potomac. Jeffrey Village has been farmed, but it hasn’t been excavated, and its research potential covers a variety of subjects, particularly the development of the Mason Island culture.

The two sites are located along the main transportation corridor of the region, and people used them throughout prehistory. Their inhabitants could exploit the resources of the Potomac, and they were also in a position to influence, The Jeffrey Village is located near this floodplain on the Potomac and possibly control, access to the river. They could also River. The river is visible to the left. quarry stone for tools from nearby lithic outcrops.

Evidence suggests that, during the Late Woodland and into the early Contact period, the Jeffrey sites were probably part of a larger settlement extending to the Maryland side of the river. Realizing the significance of the Jeffrey Rockshelter and Village, the Ziai Family Limited Partnership has agreed to donate the property containing both sites to the Conservancy. Thanks to the generosity of the Ziai Family Limited Partnership, a significant piece of Virginia’s history, and the Potomac region’s archaeological record, will be permanently preserved. —Andy Stout