Crowell leads the Fairfax County Park Authority’s now 30-year-old archaeology program. Its scope has grown dramatically since the work began in 1978; the number of documented archaeological sites has expand from 78 to 3,371.
How did the program begin?
At the time there had been a study commissioned by the county, and they were looking at the rate of development and the historical nature of the county, and the finding of the study was that there should be documentation of history and archaeological resources before they were destroyed by impending development.
What are some the county’s most important sites?
Our sites range from early Native American sites, things that are thousands of years old, to historic sites ranging from European contact with the Native Americans, the first settlers here, early slave sites, sites before the Revolutionary War, sites related to the American Revolution and War of 1812. Of course Civil War sites … then we have small industrial and commercial sites.
How did you get your start in archaeology?
I was interested in things historical as a child. I had a mother and an aunt that were collectors of antiques. I spent summers in a small town near the beach, and would observe artifacts eroding out of stream banks. And I became very interested in history, and the history of the area, and had the opportunity to volunteer at a museum when I was in high school.
Why is archaeology important?
We learn what is written down in the history books, as far as if you’re reading about the history of the area, things that were important enough to write down. For people who were not necessarily literate, or didn’t have the time to write, you’re getting them representation in the archaeological record. Slaves, tenants, children, women, people who were not in the higher echelons of society, everyone leaves something behind. – William C. Flook
