EASTERN SHORE

WHO WE ARE

A chapter of the Archaeological Society of Maryland, Inc., ESASM is a non-profit group focused on the archeological heritage of the lower, middle and upper Chesapeake Bay region. We provide educational experiences for the public to learn about archaeology, as well as opportunities for members to investigate and conserve archaeological resources. 

MEETINGS AND EVENTS

Upcoming 2024 meetings, workshops, field sessions, educational programs, and opportunities to get involved in research and advocacy. 

November 17, 2024 Historic Ceramics Workshop

Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore

1324 Belmont Ave Ste 401, Salisbury, 

10 am–12 pm

March 20-23, 2025 Middle Atlantic Archaeological Conference

Wyndham Gettysburg, PA

Information here 

January 26 2025 ESASM Chapter Meeting with speaker Ed Otter

Higher Education Center @ Chesapeake College, Wye Mills

3:00 pm

February 23, 2025 ESASM Chapter Meeting with MHT underwater archaeologist Troy Nowak 

TOPIC: Submerged pre-contact sites off Janes Island in Dorchester County

Eastern Shore Higher Education Center @ Chesapeake College, Wye Mills

3:00 pm 

March 30th ESASM Chapter Meeting w/ archaeologists Jennifer Barbiarz and Lisa Robbins TOPIC: Overseer's Housing as Negotiated Space in a Plantation Surveillance Landscape

Eastern Shore Higher Education Center @ Chesapeake College, Wye Mills

3:00 pm 

Saturday, April 5, 2025 - ASM Spring Symposium

100 Community Place, Crownsville

9 am – 3 pm

LAB DAYS AND FIELDWORK

Help clean, identify, conserve and catalog artifacts from ongoing Eastern Shore research projects. 

ARTIFACT ID

ASM has developed an easy-to-use survey tool, called MdFIND that allows property owners, hikers, and "citizen scientists" to record isolated artifacts and responsibly report them to the Maryland Historical Trust, office of Archaeology.

C.A.T. PROGRAM

Through ASM's Certified Archaeological Technician (C.A.T.) program, you can get formal and extended training in the techniques and goals of archaeology without having to participate in an academic degree program.  

Certificate candidates must be ASM members and work under the supervision of a mentor. A series of required readings and workshops is coupled with practical experience in archeological research. 

Upcoming workshops to be annnounced soon. Contact Tom with any questions: mclaugh01@verizon.net.

GET INVOLVED

Join ESASM to learn about and help promote archaeology and the history and culture of the Eastern Shore. 

The section above will be updated with opportunities to participate in hands-on archaeology on the Eastern Shore. Additional options across the bridge include: 

• Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, Edgewater. Fieldwork and lab work Wednesdays and occasional Saturdays. Contact Jim Gibb at jamesgibb@verizon.net.

• The Archaeological Institute of America provides an online listing of fieldwork opportunities. Click here. 

• Anne Arundel County Archaeology Lab
  Email Drew Webster at  volunteers@losttownsproject.org for information on fieldwork and lab work.

• Maryland Historic Trust, Crownsville,
  Labwork most Tuesdays. Email Zachary.Singer@maryland.gov.