Unearthing the Past at Ferry Farm

Ferry Farm's landscape has witnessed an astonishing array of transformations over the last 12,000 years. Since 2001, archaeologists conducting large-scale excavations at Ferry Farm have unearthed over a half-million artifacts created by people from eleven distinct time periods. Some of these groups made only minor impacts on the landscape, while others made sweeping changes.

Aerial Photo of Ferry Farm ~ During its history, the Rappahannock River has helped shape life at Ferry Farm, providing both an avenue for transportation and a major food source. At different times, this waterway connected the frontier with England, linked Fredericksburg to Stafford County via a rope ferry, and separated Confederate combatants from Union troops.

Map of Ferry Farm ~ Bounded by the Rappahannock River and the King's highway (modern day Route 3), today Ferry Farm features 114 acres of meadows, wetlands, and woodlands. The eight-acre archaeological site is located on a terrace overlooking the floodplain of the Rappahannock.

Archaeologists digging at the Ferry Farm site
Archaeological Excavation at Ferry Farm ~ Archaeologists at Ferry Farm excavate large areas to uncover and assess pieces of past landscapes that show various features.

Data Entry of Artifacts ~ Once data, including artifacts, maps, and photographs, are collected from the field, they are transformed into digital format for analysis. Artifacts are washed, sorted, identified, and cataloged. Artifact descriptions and field notes are entered into databases, and drawings and photographs are scanned. All of this information is then incorporated into ArcGIS 9.1 software used to manage, integrate, and analyze data.

Spatial distribution example
An Example of Spatial Analysis ~ Archaeologists use various techniques to interpret the past, including spatial analysis. Our analysis examines three types of archaeological remains:

architectural ruins including the remnants of farmhouses, kitchens, slave quarters, and outbuildings
landscape elements such as fences, trenches, and other activity areas
locations of particularly significant artifacts