Colonial pit digging and detecting marathon – 3 sites in 3 days – Part I

[Bill D. (VA)]

All of the stars aligned this past weekend and I had the opportunity to dig colonial trash pits and do some detecting with 3 of my hunting buddies on 3 consecutive days. I knew it would be rough going, but I made out pretty good overall and was back to normal by Monday. I joined my friend Joey on Friday for the first of 3 digs. We went back to the early site we first hit about 2 weeks ago where we probed out 2 pits about 100 yards apart on either side of where the original house once stood. One of those pits was very promising after digging just a small test hole the last time there, so we hit that area hard first thing in the morning. Joey also brought his new, monster-sized sifter, and it worked great. During 3 hours of digging several large test holes we were able to recover a few more colonial glass and pottery shards, but overall we were disappointed with the quantity of finds. After a couple hours of detecting in the adjacent field we decided to revisit the 2[SUP]nd[/SUP] pit area. It wasn’t very impressive during our first dig at that spot, but we quickly probed out a much larger and deeper pit next to the original one that started producing some nice ceramics just before we had to call it quits for the day. I also found what appears to be a pulley wheel about 3 ft down in the hole, but not really sure if that’s what it is. This pit definitely merits a return trip, and I hope we can get back there soon. The detecting finds were less than impressive with a LC being my best find along with a few buttons and other odds and ends. I was also able to dig a nearly complete colonial hoe in the field, and a long electrolysis bath will be in order soon. Joey did score a nice (and still unidentifiable) cut piece which was the find of the day. We both had a full and fun day of digging and swinging, and look forward to getting together back to the pit again soon.

 

[joeyfresh]

Thanks for teaching more about pit digging Bill.....and for pointing out that my sifter was rather large, lol. I had a great time and hopefully we can do it again soon. I think identified my coin as a Netherlands Silver 6 Stuivers 1683 -1691.

 

[Steve in PA]

You sure have been moving a lot of dirt lately Bill. Good luck when you go back to that pit you started.

 

[jewelerguy]

good finds!

 

[birdman]

Love the old glass also!

 

[Flathead25]

Bill D.- I'm brand new on here, so I hope I am doing this right.....but, in your 5th pic you have a small buckle. I've dug that exact type/style in VA. Do you have any info or age on it? Much appreciated!