Baltimore Community Archaeology Lab

05/26/2026

We're still thinking a lot about the oyster shells from North Point. As we ramp up for another month in the field near our North Point sites, we're sending shells off for radiocarbon dating. If we add dates to stable oxygen isotopes from shells at two sites, plus the of our Indigenous partners, we can come up with a much fuller picture of how lifeways differed at these two sites.

05/15/2026

If you're not already getting the Baltimore County Heritage Network's monthly newsletter, distributed by the Historical Society of Baltimore County, sign up at the website below! There are currently 21 heritage organizations (including us!) that are part of the network and share our events and updates in the newsletter.

Baltimore County Heritage Network Baltimore County has a rich history, with significant contributions to Maryland’s and America’s cultural, technological, environmental, and social evolution. There are many great museums, societies, historic sites, and other groups championing this history. Howe...

05/14/2026

Come join us tomorrow for our last public lab day this spring! We need to wash and inventory the artifacts we recovered from Veterans Memorial Park last month!

05/11/2026

In one week, on Monday May 18, we'll be back out at the VFW in Sparrows Point for some final survey. These surveys help us determine where the highest concentrations of artifacts are so we know where to place our more intensive excavations in June. Come help us figure it out!

05/08/2026

We got a shoutout today for our program with Digging Deeper Educational Consulting! Can't believe it's just over a month away. We're so excited to keep building knowledge and relationships with our students, teachers, and community members in Sparrows Point!

Exciting news! A new grant funding for TU’s Baltimore Community Archaeology Lab is opening doors for TU students, educators AND the community — inviting everyone to take part in local excavations and learn alongside experts.

Cheers to building a stronger, more inclusive approach to preserving Maryland’s history!
https://bit.ly/3PaZCBq

05/04/2026

If you haven't already checked out our Research and Projects page, take a look at the publications, reports, and presentations being produced by BCAL students and staff!

BCAL Research and Projects BCAL conducts research on sites in the greater Baltimore/Maryland area. Linked below are a few examples of our current and most recent research: Reports GPR Survey of the Parren Mitchell House Phase II: Archaeological Investigations of the Parren Mitchell House GPR Survey....

04/29/2026

Everyone save the date for the Third Annual Summit of Maryland Indigenous People and Archaeologists! We are thrilled to be sponsoring this event in collaboration with and the Council for Maryland Archeology. Registration will open in July.

04/25/2026

Thanks to everyone who came out to our shovel test survey in Sparrows Point today! We dug a lot of holes and now have a much better idea of where we want to dig the next batch. Catch you next time!

04/24/2026

It's looking like a the rain tomorrow is going to hold off until evening! Come join us to excavate some shovel tests at the VFW in Sparrows Point tomorrow 10-3!

04/23/2026

Thanks to the Baltimore County Commission on Arts and Sciences for becoming the latest sponsor of our Trowels to Teaching program. We couldn't do this work without support from all of our funders.

Strengthening historic preservation through community service-learning, civic engagement and stewardship