Maasaw’s research has uncovered over fifty ancient Native American fish weirs in the Potomac River, dating to the early Woodland Period, around three thousand years ago. These V-shaped rock structures stretched across the river, guiding fish toward an opening at the apex where baskets captured those attempting to escape. Tribal members collaborated closely: some drove fish downstream, others at the weir used bows and spears to harvest trapped fish, while elders on shore cleaned and smoked the catch, including herring, shad, catfish, and eels.