Any help would be appreciated

[jcoll98]

I just dug my first privy, went down about 5.5 feet and found a wood lining around it. It is four pieces of wood and seems like it is about the size of four 2X4's (one on each wall). Is it possible that this is the bottom? Not sure if I should keep going or not. Its getting pretty hard to find anything due to some water.

 

[swizzle]

When you start hitting some black dirt with lots of little seeds then you should be about bottomed out. Try probing down a bit to see if you can hear any deeper glass too. Other then that, start bailing like crazy until you're positive that you've hit bottom. Swiz

 

[jcoll98]

Thanks swizzle I def. hit bottom then found the black dirt.

ORIGINAL: swizzle

When you start hitting some black dirt with lots of little seeds then you should be about bottomed out. Try probing down a bit to see if you can hear any deeper glass too. Other then that, start bailing like crazy until you're positive that you've hit bottom. Swiz

 

[pjritter]

yeah but that black dirt with seeds in it is use layer. use layer can be feet thick. you know you hit bottom when there is no more privy lining and you hit natural soil.

 

[Bottleman]

I’ve dug lots of privy’s that had that wooden step close to the bottom. That wooden square usually is set about 6†to 1 foot off the bottom so you're close. Once you hit bottom you will know it because it will be really hard to dig any deeper and it will just be a uniform color clay soil. I’m assuming you are digging here is PA by the finds you posted in another thread. Good luck!

 

[jcoll98]

You are right bottleman and thanks for the info. I dug about another 6" down and found the bottom. There were planks of wood on the bottom. I lifted up a few and the ground was really hard to dig so I stopped, still found afew though!