Historical Archaeology of the Urban Kind
|
Historical Archaeology in an urban setting can reap some surprising rewards.
The ongoing excavation behind and next to the former home and law office of
Thaddeus Stevens’ in the city of Lancaster, Pennsylvania has offered us thousands,
maybe tens of thousands, of artifacts as well as some interesting features.
Artifacts excavated include a coin from the late 1700s and just about any 19-century pottery conceivable is represented. Most intriguing, however, would arguably be the two cisterns located between the Kleiss Saloon and Stevens’ home, notable for the area of bricks which, at some time were removed and then rebuilt. A rebuilt wall in the basement of the Kleiss Saloon leading to a trench behind the larger cistern may offer proof of Stevens’ business manager Lydia Hamilton Smith’s participation as a conductor in the clandestine and much speculated about “Underground Railroad.” Throughout these web pages, you will have the opportunity to join us as we move through the southside courtyard between Stevens' law office and the Kleiss Saloon, dig behind Lydia Smith's house as well as inside the northside courtyard of Stevens' home. |
Kleiss Saloon (right, red brick) and Stevens' House (left, white brick)
Courtyard between Kleiss (left) and Stevens' law office (right)
Before the dig
Click on a date, or click on our:
Index
Introduction
Webrings
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Site designed and maintained by
W3WebDesign