Archaeology FAQ What Lies Beneath  Underwater Archaeology Remote Sensing Mapping Excavation Reports & Conservation Flotilla Survey Explore Site Gunboats Artifacts Glossary & Links JPPM Home   Virtual Fieldtrip Come learn about archaeology, Maryland's history and some sites at the Park. Glossary Airlift – A suction device that uses comp [..]

Anything made or modified by humans. Spear points, ceramics, clothing, and machinery are all examples of artifacts. Also see the definition for feature.

Joshua Barney was born in Baltimore, Maryland in 1759.  He served in the Continental Navy during the Revolutionary War and then in the United States Navy in the War of 1812. He held the rank of Commodore.

A series of skirmishes during the War of 1812 between the British Navy and US forces. On June 10 and June 26, 1814, the Chesapeake Flotilla, commanded by Joshua Barney, engaged a large British force along St. Leonard Creek in Maryland. These are called the First and Second Battles of St. Leonard Creek, respectively.

An attempt to cut off an area or country from access to trade and travel, usually referring to a naval blockade. During the War of 1812 the British blockaded the east coast of the United States and interrupted trade.

The set of learned behaviors that people use to organize and conduct their lives, and which separates them from other cultures. People learn their culture from parents and people in their community. 

In underwater archaeology, a cofferdam is a structure used to hold back water during some excavations. Large metal pieces are connected to create an enclosure around an area of the site that archaeologists are excavating. The water is then drained out, so archaeologists can work more easily.

An immovable artifact, something that is made by humans but cannot be picked up and carried off a site. This includes (among many others) foundations, cooking hearths, and post holes (which usually are nothing more substantial than darkly-colored soils). Features are recorded in detail in the field and often represent specific, short duration event [..]

A group of ten or more vessels that work together. A flotilla is often comprised of similar types of vessels; the Chesapeake Flotilla was primarily made up of barges. The word flotilla comes from the Spanish word for fleet.

A non-destructive method for finding underwater sites. Small puffs of air are forced through a tube placed underwater and any air resistance is measured and mapped. By doing this, archaeologists create a map of the boundaries of a site, without damaging the wreck or any artifact, which is what can happen with rigid tools such as a metal probe.