Archaeological Field School in Freeport
Archaeological Field
School in Freeport
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As part of its summer-long program, Diggin’ History-Piecing Together Pettengill Farm’s Past, from July 25th to July 29th, Freeport Historical Society will host archaeological excavations on one of its historical properties. The fieldwork and dig will take place at a site that was once owned by early Freeport resident, Abraham Grant, and is now part of Pettengill Farm. Previous investigations were carried out in the 1990s by students from Freeport High School, led by archaeologist and teacher Norm Buttrick. The students found evidence that a succession of two dwellings may have stood on the site. The first of these was built in the mid-1700s and occupied by Grant, his wife, Sussannah, and their children from the 1780s or earlier. The second was built by about 1800. Among the artifacts found were imported English and Dutch ceramics, broken bottles, and tobacco pipes, many of which were manufactured before the Revolution. Other artifacts, manufactured from the 1790s to about 1830, were representative of the later occupation, and possibly, a second and third generation of occupants. This season’s excavation will focus on the earlier portion of the site. Among the goals of the excavations will be finding evidence for just what kind of house the Grants first built.
The fieldwork will last one week and is open to adults age 18 and older. Participants will have the opportunity to work along side professional historical archaeologists, Pam Crane and Peter Morrison (Crane & Morrison Archaeology), who have worked throughout the northeast over the past twenty years. Through direct participation, they will learn how archaeological excavations are carried out, including how to dig, screen for artifacts, how to map archaeological feature, and how to take good notes. Participants will also begin to learn how to identify historical artifacts and be introduced to such related skills as “reading” historical landscapes and surveying.
The program is limited to a total of 14 participants per day. The per- day fee is $100.
Week-long participation is $335.00
For further information and to register, contact the Freeport Historical Society at (207) 865-3170. Visit our website at www.freeporthistoricalsociety.orgor on Facebook.
