Alexandria Archaeology Museum

12/28/2023

As this year ends, we would like to thank you for supporting our work. Alexandria Archaeology celebrated many accomplishments this year. With your help we were able to install 12 new permanent signs along the African American Waterfront Heritage Trail, design two new outreach programs for schools, launch an interactive map of archaeology and history reports, work with a record number of interns, and welcome over 34,000 visitors to the museum to see our new exhibit. We look forward to many more milestones in 2024!

12/23/2023

The Alexandria Archaeology Museum will be open on Saturday the 23rd and Sunday the 24th. The museum will be closed on Monday the 25th and Tuesday the 26th. Regular hours will resume on Wednesday, December 27th.

12/21/2023

On this darkest day of the year you may need a little light. While inventorying our collections, Fall semester intern Nina came across this small pack of matches found in the attic of 518-520 King Street in the 1970s. It turned out to be one of her favorite artifacts. “Lucifers” was both a brand name and a nickname for matches beginning in the 1830s, and the Alexandria Gazette at the time is full of advertisements for these handy items. This pack of lucifers contained snippets of bible verses, which were cut out and inserted into the matchbook by its owner. The personal touches of the biblical content seen in this item humanize the artifact and are similar to what someone would put in a journal or wallet today. Nina personally enjoyed the juxtaposition of having biblical verses in a matchbook with the name “Lucifer” printed on it.

12/18/2023

Nineteenth century English pottery manufacturers commonly used mythical imagery on their wares. Archaeologists uncovered this pearlware pitcher, which was likely intended to mimic Jasperware, from a shaft feature located behind 112 S. Royal Street (44AX95, Feature 3, Cat -1554). On one side it depicts Hermes/Mercury (complete with winged helmet and sandals) on a chariot drawn by rams, a nod to Hermes' pastoral associations. On the other it shows Aphrodite/Venus in a chariot drawn by birds, perhaps sparrows as described in Sappho's lyric poem "Ode to Aphrodite." This imagery and these stories would have been familiar to middle and upper class British and American consumers who had an interest in the classical Mediterranean world.

12/01/2023

Archaeologists uncovered a nearly complete 18th century ship’s biscuit right here in Alexandria. Make your own ship’s biscuit ornament this Saturday, December 2 between 2 and 5 to commemorate the discovery and the city's waterfront history! Each biscuit ornament will be stamped with the year and then baked at home to track its preservation. All ages are welcome for this quick activity! No registration required.

11/30/2023

We are excited to share the launch of our new online, interactive Alexandria Archaeology Report Finder (AARF). Use this handy tool to explore what archaeological and historical work has happened around the city and maybe even in your neighborhood. https://www.alexandriava.gov/archaeology/alexandria-archaeology-report-finder

11/29/2023

Alexandria Archaeology's home has long been beside the water at the Torpedo Factory. This 1979 photo shows a group of students from George Washington University learning how to wash and process artifacts outside on the waterfront. See if you can spot the old Woodrow Wilson Bridge in the background!

11/13/2023

For this edition of we take a look at Rouen-type faience. This ceramic has a white tin glazed interior with a brown lead-glazed exterior. Manufactured in France between about 1775 and 1800 it was used in common day-to-day tablewares and has been found at several Alexandria sites. Archaeologists uncovered this pitcher from a well located behind 130 N. Royal Street (44AX93, GB-8) in the 1960s.

11/03/2023

to 1980-1983 when Alexandria archaeologists, volunteers, and field school students uncovered the remains of a free Black neighborhood at the Coleman Site (44AX30) located on the 400 block of South Royal Street. To learn more about this project check outhttps://media.alexandriava.gov/content/oha/reports/ColemanSitePub126.pdf

10/31/2023

Double, double toil and trouble/ fire burn and cauldron bubble! This three footed iron cauldron wasn't used by any witches but it was excavated from the stone foundation (Feature 125) of a late 18th century waterfront warehouse at the Robinson Landing Site (44AX235). Conservators at the MAC Lab treated the artifact by cleaning it with pneumatic tools and by using chemicals to remove corrosion. They then coated the cauldron in tannic acid and B67 to inhibit future rust because as we all know rust is really the scariest thing (if you happen to be an iron artifact).

10/26/2023

High tech sonar and low tech watercraft came together in the best way last month, resulting in new documentation of the historic ship timbers preserved at the bottom of Ben Brenman Pond. Watch the video to see how Virginia State Underwater Archaeologist Brendan Burke captured images of the timbers despite the murky water. Virginia Department of Historic Resources

Virginia State Underwater Archaeologist Brendan Burke kayaked across Ben Brenman Park while capturing side scan sonar data. Side scan sonar detects and image...

10/24/2023

How do archaeologists study the past? Budding scientists ages 4-7 are invited to take part in the free program, Science Underground, at the Ellen Coolidge Branch Library on Wednesday, October 25 from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Use archaeological methods and tools to sort and identify artifacts. This program is limited to 20 participants.

10/20/2023

Make time in your weekend for the Torpedo Factory Art Center's Art Safari this Saturday, October 21 from 12 - 4 p.m. Alexandria Archaeology will be recreating 19th-century ceramic slip designs like marbling and dendritic patterns in new and unusual ways! If mess is less your thing, apply your own temporary tattoo in the style of transfer printed ceramics, while supplies last.

10/16/2023

A few weeks ago, conservator Simona Cristanetti worked on treating the bronze plaques at the Contrabands and Freedmen Cemetery. This work occurred after Cristanetti carefully assessed the condition of the memorial. She cleaned the metalwork using water and a special detergent and applied a paste wax to protect and enhance the surface. After treatment the bronze plaques and sculptures have a richer, more saturated and uniform appearance. Regular treatment will protect this important memorial for generations.

10/13/2023

Saturday's (10/14) "Archaeology on the Waterfront" outdoor event has been cancelled due to rain. Free scavenger hunts of the Robinson Landing block will be available at the Alexandria Archaeology Museum if you would like to brave the weather!

10/12/2023

Archaeologists excavated a full city block ahead of the construction of Robinson Landing. Join us this Saturday, October 14 from 12-4 p.m. at 7 Pioneer Mill Way to learn what used to be at the site, including Hooe’s 18th century warehouse and store, the 19th century steam-powered Pioneer Mill, and the remnants of three merchant ships. Explore the area as a family with a self-guided scavenger hunt or register in advance to take a free guided tour of the waterfront with an archaeologist. The event is free and open to the public, but guided tours are limited. Register for a guided tour at shop.alexandriava.gov.

10/11/2023

Congratulations to our Alexandria Archaeology Summer Camp Counselors! Christina Eure, Tara Jennings, Cathryn Kinde, Hannah Lemon, Julianne White, Margaret "Maggie" Winter, and Melissa Thiringer were honored last night with the 2023 Ben Brenman Award for Outstanding Educators. The Alexandria Archaeological Commission (AAC), Mayor Justin Wilson, and City Council presented the award to the counselors for their professionalism, patience, and commitment to educating and training the next generation of Alexandria archaeologists by teaching careful research, excavation, and cataloguing methods. Melissa Thiringer received the award on behalf of the counselors.

10/10/2023

How do archaeologists study the past? Ages 6-12 are invited for the free program, The Great Pottery Puzzle, at the James M. Duncan Branch Library on Wednesday, October 11 from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Sort artifacts, learn about archaeology methods and tools, and create a paper pottery puzzle of your own to take home.

10/06/2023

Southern Towers is surrounded by history! Archaeologists found evidence showing that the area may have been a temporary or seasonal camp from the Late Archaic to early Woodland periods. Visit our booth at the Southern Towers Farmer's Market, 4901 Seminary Road, this Saturday, October 7 from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. to see artifacts from nearby sites, meet City archaeologists, and try an archaeology challenge.

10/03/2023

Get ready, lovers of Alexandria's waterfront history! The Alexandria Forum will take place Friday, October 20, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., at the Alexandria History Museum at the Lyceum. This year's symposium will revisit the history of the Alexandria Waterfront through new research lenses, technologies, excavations, and sources. Alexandria City archaeologists and other presenters will weave together the many strands of historical evidence currently under examination, from deeds to store ledgers, from manifests to material culture, to provide new insights. Register at shop.alexandriava.gov.

10/02/2023

Happy ! For this edition we explore the world of debased scratch blue white salt-glazed stoneware (a mouthful to say). The surface of these vessels has the distinctive orange peel texture of all salt glazed wares which is somewhat hard to see in this image. This glaze is produced by throwing salt into a very hot kiln, vaporizing the salt which then combines with the silica in the clay to produce a glossy, but pitted glaze. This variety has incised lines filled with cobalt blue that is also present on the adjacent surface. Manufactured in England between the 1760s and the 1790s, it imitates more intricate German Westerwald stoneware. Common vessel forms included teawares, chamber pots, and other hollow wares.

10/01/2023

Grab your passport to Virginia Archaeology Month! Celebrate with events and programs highlighting important archaeological resources from the West End to Old Town and everywhere in between. Printed passports can be found at any Historic Alexandria, VA Museum. Collect three or more stamps and head over to the Alexandria Archaeology Museum to receive a small prize!

09/28/2023

It's almost our favorite time of year: Virginia Archaeology Month! Celebrate with us at one of our many events throughout Alexandria this October, highlighting important archaeological resources from the West End to Old Town and everywhere in between. We hope to see you there!

09/27/2023

Last week Virginia State Underwater Archaeologist Brendan Burke kayaked across Ben Brenman Park while capturing side scan sonar data. Side scan sonar detects and images objects beneath the surface of a body of water. This partnership allowed him to test out his equipment and provided us with further documentation of the historic ship timbers that were relocated to the pond last year. Thanks Virginia Department of Historic Resources!

09/21/2023

to 1984 when the city's archaeological museum and program (previously housed elsewhere in the facility) moved to the third floor of the Torpedo Factory. What elements of our current space can you spot in this photo?

09/21/2023

Alexandria Archaeology is closed Thursday, September 21 and Friday, September 22 for staff training.

09/15/2023

to this 1974 photo of Carlyle House showing just how hidden the original building had become since its construction by John Carlyle in 1752. James Green, a furniture manufacturer, purchased the property in 1848 and changed it considerably. The main west-facing entrance along Fairfax Street was hidden from the street in 1855 by Green's addition of a large, four-story hotel, shown boarded up on the righthand side of the photo. In 1970, the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority (NOVA) acquired the property and restored it to its 1752 mid-Georgian appearance in time for the Bicentennial celebration in 1976. Read more about the archaeology of the sitehttps://media.alexandriava.gov/docs-archives/historic/info/archaeology/sitereporttolson1980carlylehouseax3.pdf

09/06/2023

For this , we continue our journey south along the African American Waterfront Heritage Trail to Jones Point Park and the previous site of the Virginia Shipbuilding Company. World War I draft cards offer information on the workers employed at the corporation. Ernest Green, a native Alexandrian, worked at the Virginia Shipbuilding Corporation as a chauffeur and lived nearby on the 700 block of Gibbon Street. Learn more alexandriava.gov/go/4273.

08/29/2023

. The land around Jones Point has changed significantly in the last few centuries. Before the early 20th century, the area was a true point, jutting out into the Potomac River. Archaeological evidence suggests that the long spit of land was visited and used by people for thousands of years. In 1911, the Army Corps of Engineers dramatically changed the landscape of the area by infilling the cove, ultimately creating 46.5 new acres of land, shown in this transition between 1798 and 1915 maps of the area.

08/26/2023

Happy ! Archaeologists excavated this pearlware Prattware jug in a brick lines shaft feature located behind 418 King Street (44AX91, 4KSW-13) in the 1960s. Prattware refers to the relief decoration on this piece and was manufactured between the 1780s and the 1840s. This particular hunting dog pattern tells a story around the diameter of the piece as the hunter follows his dogs that then eventually flush out birds from the bushes. The scene may be adapted from a painting by English artist Samuel Howitt.