The First People on Jones Point

The First People on Jones Point (HM2D2G)

Location: Alexandria, VA 22314
Buy Virginia State flags at Flagstore.com!
Country: United States of America
Buy United States of America flags at Flagstore.com!

N 38° 47.526', W 77° 2.564'

  • 0 likes
  • 0 check ins
  • 0 favorites
  • 205 views
Inscription

In Pursuit of Fur, Fish and Fowl

—Jones Point Park —

Archaeological evidence indicates that humans have occupied the Potomac River Valley for over 13,000 years and Jones Point for almost 9,000 years. Attracted by the rich resources of Hunting Creek marsh, indigenous people built temporary structures to serve as seasonal hunting and fishing camps. At the time of European contact, several established American Indian villages were nearby: Namoraughquend (between today's Pentagon and Theodore Roosevelt Island) and Assaomeck, Namassingakent, and Tauxenent (downriver).

11,000 BC-8,000 BC
Paleo-Indian Period
Nomadic Hunter-Gatherers

As the last Ice Age was ending, early hunters migrated in small bands, pursuing large game, gathering plants and setting up temporary camps along rivers in locations with plentiful supplies of natural materials for tools and food.

Quartz Flakes
Thousands of quartz flakes found at Jones Point document stone tool-making from river cobbles.


8,000-1,200 BC
Archaic Period
Temporary Hunting and Fishing Camps

During this period of warming climates, fertile floodplains formed along rivers, attracting seasonal settlements of two or three families. Native peoples hunted smaller game, added various seeds, shoots, roots, and berries to their diet, stored extra



foodstuffs and formed bowls of soapstone.

Stone Tools
Stone tools indicate that native peoples visited this increasingly rich marine environment to hunt, fish, and gather plant material.


1,200 BC-1,600 AD
Woodland Period
Permanent Farming Villages

Pottery-making traditions emerged and small villages formed, characterized by farming, assigned work tasks, and more elaborate social structure. Since homes were permanent, village construction patterns became more complex.

Soil Markings and Fire-Cracked Rock
Soil stains mark the locations of decayed wood posts, probably from small oval-shaped dwellings, and related food storage pits. Large quantities of fire-cracked rock from hearths were found at a refuse pit near one of the dwellings.
Details
HM NumberHM2D2G
Tags
Placed ByNational Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior
Marker ConditionNo reports yet
Date Added Wednesday, December 26th, 2018 at 10:01pm PST -08:00
Pictures
Sorry, but we don't have a picture of this historical marker yet. If you have a picture, please share it with us. It's simple to do. 1) Become a member. 2) Adopt this historical marker listing. 3) Upload the picture.
Locationbig map
UTM (WGS84 Datum)18S E 322591 N 4295687
Decimal Degrees38.79210000, -77.04273333
Degrees and Decimal MinutesN 38° 47.526', W 77° 2.564'
Degrees, Minutes and Seconds38° 47' 31.56" N, 77° 2' 33.84" W
Driving DirectionsGoogle Maps
Area Code(s)202, 703, 571
Closest Postal AddressAt or near Mt Vernon Trail, Alexandria VA 22314, US
Alternative Maps Google Maps, MapQuest, Bing Maps, Yahoo Maps, MSR Maps, OpenCycleMap, MyTopo Maps, OpenStreetMap

Is this marker missing? Are the coordinates wrong? Do you have additional information that you would like to share with us? If so, check in.

Check Ins  check in   |    all

Have you seen this marker? If so, check in and tell us about it.

Comments 0 comments

Maintenance Issues
  1. Is this marker part of a series?
  2. What historical period does the marker represent?
  3. What historical place does the marker represent?
  4. What type of marker is it?
  5. What class is the marker?
  6. What style is the marker?
  7. Does the marker have a number?
  8. What year was the marker erected?
  9. This marker needs at least one picture.
  10. Can this marker be seen from the road?
  11. Is the marker in the median?