digging 1870s foundations

[Bottleman]

Hello all you collectors out there! I found about five foundations in the woods near where I live and dug all the privys that I could find. I didn’t come up with to much but because they were 1870s rock liners I figured there may be bottles buried in the foundation. I think the houses were knocked down well over 50 years ago so who knows what you may find. I have never dug foundations before so I am asking all of you if you know how to dig one? I don’t think I can dig all of it so does anyone know where the bottles are usually found like in the corners, near the edges, near the front or back or something?

Thanks, Tom

 

[Matt in NH]

Well, if there are bottles in the foundation, there are two ways they could have got there.
1) from the residents of the house
2) The foundation was used as a dump after the house was gone.
You'll know right away if it was used as a dump cause you'll find stuff everywhere. If it was not used as a dump, you have to probe for the kitchen area of the foundation, or dig test holes within the hole until you find some debris.....hope this helps.

Matty