This document summarizes the archaeological investigation of Accokeek vessels found under the floorboards at a site in Bolling Air Force Base. The excavation uncovered 81 soil test pits and 3 test units containing remnants of Native American pottery and lithics from a village occupied until the 19th century. Specifically, fragments of 13-16 inch diameter undecorated ceramic vessels were found buried 9 inches below the modern ground surface. The excavation was conducted by a team from the Naval Facilities Engineering Command to reconstruct the unusual preservation of these Accokeek artifacts found in situ.

1. Accokeek Vessels Under the Floorboards
Gregory Katz, RPA
The Louis Berger Group, Inc.

2. A tale of mystery, suspense, unusual preservation, and
reconstruction
Conducted for:
Department of the Navy
Naval Facilities Engineering Command
(NAVFAC), Washington

3. Bolling AFB
Source: Google Earth

5.  At the back of a low
terrace
 Approximately 1,100
feet inland from shore

7.  45 village sites
known to 19th C.
collectors
(Proudfit
1889), 23 on east
banks of
Anacostia and
Potomac Rivers
 Known ossuaries
on east side of the
Potomac River
near Bolling and
the NRL
Source: Humphrey and Chambers 1977

9.  Part of Blue Plains Tract, patented
1662
 William Marbury [1802-1835]
 Washington and Thomas Berry [1835-
1861/1862]
 Tobacco farming in antebellum period
William Marbury

10. Source: Boschke 1861

11.  Military use during Civil War. Lowlands probably
farms & orchards
 In 1873 arsenal
moved from Navy
Yard to Bellevue.
Bellevue Magazine
created
Fort Stevens. Source: NPS

12.  Landscape
relatively open
 Neighborhood
development
in early 1900s
Source: USCGS 1892

13.  Progressive
development
Source: Baist 1913

14.  Navy Housing
built in 1940 /
1941
 Redeveloped
in mid-1990s
Aerial Source: US Navy 1987
View in 1997 (JMA)

16.  81 STPs and 3 Test Units

17. Fill
Ap
(Features)
Lithics
E Pottery
BE/Bw/Bt
(Rodent)
0 50 100 150 200

18. Fill
A/Ap
Lithics
(Features) Pottery
Bw/Bt
0 10 20 30 40 50 60

20. FCR

24. FCR
Auger
hole

25. Holes from soil auger

29.  Approx. 13-16 inch diameter, 9 inch depth
e. f.
a. b.
g.
d.
c.
Source: Mouer 1991
 No lugs
 Tapering, slightly pointed base

31.  Jim Dolph (NAVFAC, Washington)
 Carolyn Woods (NAVFAC, Washington)
 Sara Rivers Cofield (MAC Lab)
 Caitlyn Shaffer (MAC Lab)
 Ruth Trocolli (DC City Archaeologist)
 Charles LeeDecker (Berger)
 Field Crew: Robin K., Jackie M., Mary P., Emily W.
 Bolling AFB Home-School Group