bottles everywhere 10 foot excavation

  • Thread starter Thread starter swingbeepdig
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swingbeepdig

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I'm clueless when it comes to bottles but at work we excavating property from early 1900s and building highrises.We went over 10 feet deep and got into hard clay, so as deep as 20 feet and found this:

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Bottles and pottery coming out of this hole some have pharmaceutical labels from late 1800s.I have bag full so far but are very dirty with black muck.There's a old well made from bricks size of a car about 20 feet deeper full with bottles too.I will pist pictures when I clean them.My question is what else should I be looking for and are these worth anything. Here a picture if a broken one
 

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Upvote 6
I'm no expert but the thickness of that glass and the embossing makes me think you should definitely and delicately dig that spot.
 
I would sift all the dirt that comes out of there. And be careful, those bottles can still be intact, but break easily if you are rough pulling them out.
 
Looks like an old privy, well, or cistern!! Also looks like a broken soda or mineral water bottle maby a hutchinson or "hutch" type. 1800's no question. It also looks like a fresh break, most likly was broken from the backhoe. Yes some of those Soda's like that can be worth 100's if rare. If you can dig it by hand with out having to use a machine and smashing everything,,you might find some very nice valuable bottles!!!!!!!!!! I would dig it.
 
I seen teacups,clams, childrenshoes, dolls pieces of broken pottery. Tiny bottles; vases etc.what the black muck? Sewage?? So much went to the landfill.the backhoe is breaking it, they don't care for it.

I will clean it tomorrow night and dig the brick well in Monday.

Pictures to follow.
 
If it is an old outhouse or privy pit the black muck should be nothing more then black dirt. No longer sewage any organic matter would have broken down long ago. Bummer about the water that makes for a very sloppy dig! Ya might be able to bail it out tho. If you could post some more pics of the bottles and broke shards. Anything that has writting on it. What does the other side of the broken bottle say on it, other then 1888 that I see.
 
Cool bottles! Can't wait t see more!
 
Hello swingbeep,

Do carefully dig those out. I'd be there tomorrow morning, if I knew where it was. I suspect New Jersey somewhere.

Your broken one looks like a dated Hutchinson Soda. Some bottlers did that. The following are part of one of our member's excellent Paterson collection:

Profile%20SPREITZER%20PATERSON,%20N.J.%20copyright%20Jim%20Eifler%202013.jpg

You can find all manner of cool stuff at the bottom of privies and wells. Where there is one privy, there are frequently others in the area. Keep your eyes peeled for ashy patches.

Good luck. I'm looking forward to seeing some of your bottles.

You can find all manner of cool stuff at the bottom of privies and wells. Where there is one privy, there are frequently others in the area. Keep your eyes peeled for ashy patches.

Good luck. I'm looking forward to seeing some of your bottles.

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sounds like it will be history come monday, if you are off this weekend and nobody is there working you should get what you can this weekend
 
Wow, very cool, you lucky dog!
 
Wow I would be digging the heck out of that place.
 
Here are some pictures of the bottles, I have too many to clean and more pictures to come.I'm going back monday to dig the well, all these plus many more came from the little hole with black muck.

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Those are some amazing bottles that green bottle is awesome.
 
Wow, you are very lucky to have a place with such great bottles! I would definitely take advantage of it before its gone... really great finds :)
 
Hey swingbeep,

Nice lot there, sir. I cannot read the embossing on most of them. After their bath, if you could take photos in natural light and transcribe the embossing, orienting them properly, it would be helpful in their identification and dating.

That Hathorn Spring, Saratoga is a good one. If undamaged it should be in the $50 to $75 range, perhaps more.

Is the handle broken on that ovoid Albany slip jug? I like that Rebecca at the Well tea pot, too.

I'm an opportunistic digger, and generally keep shovels & scratchers in the back of my Jeep. I pull over for construction sites. This is mentioned only as a cautionary word to the new digger, I'm far from your spot.

Continued success at your dig. I'm looking forward to seeing lots more bottles.

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I cant wait to see more. Please dig out all that you can. Id also screen any muck or dirt on the bottom. No telling what types of old coins or jewelry ended up in there. But, the bottles are money also.
 

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