About this Event
Ballistics of the Past, Science of the Future: Analyzing Camden's Munitions
Dr. Stephen Humphreys will provide an overview of the munitions assemblage from the recent 2025 and 2026 field seasons at Historic Camden. Traditionally, 18th century munitions have been evaluated primarily by their caliber to identify the firearm and army of origin. However, the make-up of the lead in the munition can tell a more complete story. Dr. Douglas D. Scott will discuss current practices in munition analysis. Trace element analysis has long been used in the study of archaeological ceramics and other objects. Relatively new nearly non-destructive and non-invasive sampling techniques now allow us to identify bullet lead sources giving archaeologists a better understanding of the lead trade in the latter part of the 18th and early part of the 19th centuries. The value of Portable X-Ray Fluorescence and Lead Isotope studies will be highlighted in this presentation.
Discover how identifying the origin of a munition can challenge traditional narratives of the battlefield and refine our understanding of 18th-century combat dynamics.
The event will be held at Liberty Hall at the Revolutionary War Visitor Center in Camden.
Registration is free, but donations to the program are always greatly appreciated.
About Dr. Stephen Humphreys
Stephen co-founded AVAR in 2016 and has served as CEO since that time. He is the PI of the AVAR Conflict Archaeology School-Camden and Finding Medina Projects, has directed fieldwork on numerous Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency recoveries, and serves on the Advisory Board of the Center for Integrative Research in Conflict Archaeology. He is a National Geographic Explorer with experience digging and directing projects in Israel, Jordan, Cyprus, the United Kingdom, Sicily, and the USA.
Stephen holds a Ph.D. in archaeology from Durham University as well as an MA in Archaeology and Biblical Studies and an MA in Theology from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Prior to his graduate studies he was a commissioned officer in the United States Air Force, deploying in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
About Dr. Douglas D. Scott
Doug retired in 2006 from the US National Park Service after more than 30 years of with the Department of the Interior, He is currently Adjunct Research Faculty at Colorado Mesa University. Doug specializes in nineteenth century military sites archeology and forensic archeology. He is particularly noted for his expertise in battlefield archeology and firearms identification. He has directed, volunteered on, or advised others on about 60 conflict site archaeological investigations over the last 40 years.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Liberty Hall at the Revolutionary War Visitor Center at Camden, 212 Broad Street, Camden, United States
USD 0.00
