Archaeologists Unearth Remains of 387-Year-Old Colonial Fort in Maryland
The site was the fourth English colony established in the United States and was home to about 150 settlers
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Historic St. Mary's City
A view of the St. Mary’s Fort dig site.
Buried underground in the middle of an open field, roughly a half-mile inland from St. Mary's River, archaeologists have discovered the remains of Maryland's earliest Colonial site, a 387-year-old fort that was erected by European settlers in 1634.
The site, known as St. Mary's Fort, was the fourth English colony established in the United States and was home to about 150 settlers.
The recent discovery is the culmination of a decadeslong search and could reveal intriguing new details about the first wave of European colonists in Maryland and those who were there before them, said archaeologist Travis Parno, director of research and collections for Historic St. Mary's City, where the fort is located.
Historic St. Mary's City
An exposed excavation shows a section of the fort’s exterior walls were palisades or tall, sturdy wooden walls made by placing full or split timbers side-by-side in a deep trench.
Historic St. Mary's City
An excavated area near a fort-period building with a large cellar
Historic St. Mary's City
Lead musket shot found during excavations at the site of St. Mary’s Fort.
Drawing by Jeffrey R. Parno
Conjectural drawing of St. Mary’s Fort based on the geophysical survey.
Historic St. Mary's City
A view of the St. Mary’s Fort dig site.
Historic St. Mary’s City
Historic St. Mary’s City archaeologists Stephanie Stevens and August Rowell consult with Director of Research and Collections Dr. Travis Parno (center) at the St. Mary’s Fort dig site.
Historic St. Mary’s City
Geophysicist Dr. Timothy J. Horsley conducting the ground-penetrating radar survey.
Historic St. Mary's City
Excavation exposed that a section of the fort’s exterior walls were palisades or tall, sturdy wooden walls made by placing full or split timbers side-by-side in a deep trench.
Historic St. Mary's City
A member of the Historic St. Mary’s City archaeological team sifts through soil recently unearthed.
Historic St. Mary's City
Archaeologist August Rowell compares the colors of the soil to those in the Munsell chart, a system that allows for direct comparison of soils anywhere in the world.
Historic St. Mary’s City
Historic St. Mary’s City Director of Research and Collections, Travis Parno, Ph.D.
