While driving through an older town in my area, I noticed a side lot stripped for a new garage behind an 1860s home. I asked permission to probe the lot and the kind home owner informed me that the footings would be placed that day and therefore I was too late. She said I could check on the progress last saturday and look around if I didn't interfere with the forms or footings. Saturday my digging partner and I showed up to see that no further work had been completed and we began to probe the lot. We hit glass instantly in one of the dug trenches and 6 inches down was the remains of an iron pontiled gin. Gold Rush era relics are the prize in my area and we were hopeful of turning up some early bitters and gins. Digging down a few more inches revealed a complete vessel which we were sure would be 1850s, however it turned out to be a crown top beer. The hole was completely upside down and turned immediately into 1890s. We ended up with 30 1880s and 90s meeds from that hole. We ended up probing 4 other holes however the water table kept us from finishing any holes. The holes were mixed up but we managed some early glass intermixed with the 80s and 90s. Best finds were the yellow ware bowl, San Francisco Glass Works Soda, Pontiled Medicine and some eyeballed early finds including the 1860s doll head, painted marble and the early glasses. This summer we will finish up the holes and hopefully some more early finds will surface. Thanks for looking.
-Ev
-Ev
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