Are all archaeological digs this public? With signage pointing the way to the side yard behind the Talbot Women’s Club, descriptive signs hanging on the fence, and friendly archaeologists willing to talk with visitors all day long, the Hill’s dig must be one of the most public-friendly archaeological projects around.
According to Kathryn Deeley, archaeologist from the University of Maryland, that’s what has been so great about the Hill project – “usually archaeological digs are away from the public’s eye, out in a field somewhere. It’s been great to work right in the middle of Easton, and get to share what we’re doing with so many people.”
And share they did. Hundreds of visitors stopped in the site on Talbot Lane over the past four weeks, as the team of archaeologists and students slowly, carefully, painstakingly, scraped every centimeter of dirt from selected holes dug in the yard. The soil was removed, sifted, piled, and then on Friday, was refilled back into the holes. In order to ensure that future archaeologists know that each of those holes had been previously examined, fresh new 2013 coins were tossed into each one before they were refilled.
Found in this season’s dig were artifacts from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Marbles, nails, broken pottery, pieces of metal – all combine to tell the stories of the men, women and children who lived here long ago. What were their daily lives like? What did this corner of Easton look like, feel like, in the 19th century? Archaeology, oral histories, library and public record research all combine together to answer these questions, slowly – piece by piece.
The artifacts found were cleaned, documented and carefully packaged for further review in the University labs. Although the digging portion of the project is completed for the season, the work continues throughout the year, and is expected to continue for many years into the future.
Perhaps the most exciting find this season was this 1794 copper one cent piece. It was larger than a quarter, and heavy. According to Kathryn Deeley, “the coin is known as a “Liberty-Cap”, and it’s story is especially fitting, coming from this particular site, home of free African Americans in the 18th century. The cap was a symbol from Roman times, when Roman slaves wore red outfits with red caps. Once freed, they’d remove their cap and put it on a stick to symbolize their freedom. The coin immortalizes this celebration of emancipation – lady liberty taking off her cap, free at last. How fitting to find this coin with its timeless message at this particular site in Easton.
Although the site is now empty, you can be assured that the archaeological team is still hard at work back at the University of Maryland and Morgan State University. Oral histories, artifact examination, and public records research continues every day.
We can expect to hear more about our local history on the Hill as time goes on. And we can only hope that more stories like Grace Brooks’ story will be uncovered, further documenting this little spot in Easton as the nation’s oldest free African American neighborhood.
..
Mary Robinson says
Great piece Kathy, certainly gives one a different perspective when you ponder what our “stuff” would say about us!