South county site might have oldest structure in state

Who would think a series of dark spots in the ground and a tiny clay pot could generate such excitement?

The dark smudges in the earth, deemed to be posts supporting Native American wigwams, found by county archaeologists this spring could be the oldest structures yet discovered in Maryland.

Carbon dating has determined the settlement along the Patuxent River near Jug Bay dates from A.D. 1290 and 1300.

"We have three or four wigwams, built on top of each other, as early as 1290, and maybe older," County Archaeologist Al Luckenbach said.

Other prehistoric sites in Maryland, so-called because they pre-date...