Digging dumps with hard soil? SW USA

[Bottleman100]

Here are some of my finds from yesterday mostly surface finds, the bottle in the middle is the closest I’ve got to a whole purple bottle.

I dig mostly in New Mexico and Southern Colorado, I have found multiple dumps that have had purple and aqua glass so pre 1920s, a lot of these dumps are in the desert in ghost towns. I try to dig where I see the most glass on the surface but usually the dirt is almost impossible to dig only a few inches down, could there be anything under the hard dirt or no? It’s kind of disappointing when everything is broken so you would think there would be good stuff underground but I’m not for sure if they would’ve even buried their trash underground when the dirt is so hard, it’s confusing to me also because I know of only one dump by a river which is extremely easy to dig into and I’ve gone 5 feet under, have found lots of good stuff but it’s from 1920 to 1950 so not as old as I want to find. It’s too bad to because they turned the even older dump to a lake long ago and have heard they threw all the bottles in the river. I know of one pre 1920s old mining town dump in the mountains have dug 2 feet under but everything’s broken but might try to go back soon to see if I have luck.

Anyways I’m just wondering if anyone thinks digging these dumps with extremely hard dirt will yield any good results. I also wish to hear advice from any bottlediggers from the SW but anyone’s advice is welcome

Some more pics, does anyone know what these square bottles are called I love them though this is my only one which was found in NE NM the bottoms say aceite Mexico

A Stewart’s bluing bottle found at the same dump has hard soil and everything’s spread out so not for sure where to dig, surface finds.

 

[gdog68]

Im not from the SW, but I have a couple 1890s dump sites I have been to, with really hard soil(almost undigable). I usually have to wait until a hard rain to even think about digging, even then still really tough. You might be able to try and find an area with alot of surface glass and dig down as far as you can to see how deep the dump layer goes? Maybe probe the ground?

 

[hemihampton]

I don't dig out west so don't have much advise. The only Advise I have is let me know if you find any old rusty dented beer cans. if any color on them may be worth some money & collectible? LEON.

 

[Bottleman100]

I don't dig out west so don't have much advice. The only Advise I have is let me know if you find any old rusty dented beer cans. if any color on them may be worth some money & collectible?

Here are some cans I found the past few months find one every once in a while not that old but they are fun to find

Also adding some bottles I dug today cause why not

Only beer I have though is Budweiser mostly sodas I find

 

[Bottleman100]

Im not from the SW, but I have a couple 1890s dump sites I have been to, with really hard soil(almost undigable). I usually have to wait until a hard rain to even think about digging, even then still really tough. You might be able to try and find an area with alot of surface glass and dig down as far as you can to see how deep the dump layer goes? Maybe probe the ground?

Yeah I was thinking probing could work so I could know where to dig but haven’t got a probe yet, and I will probably just wait for it to rain, actually was thinking about bringing some water and a hose haha. Have you found any whole bottles at those dumps with hard dirt? Pics welcome. Also would you keep digging in a dump with broken glass it’s the closest old dump to me and had lots of purple, aqua, blackish green found some square nails too

 

[gdog68]

Yeah I was thinking probing could work so I could know where to dig but haven’t got a probe yet, and I will probably just wait for it to rain, actually was thinking about bringing some water and a hose haha. Have you found any whole bottles at those dumps with hard dirt? Pics welcome. Also would you keep digging in a dump with broken glass it’s the closest old dump to me and had lots of purple, aqua, blackish green found some square nails too

It depends on if it is just a surface dump or if the dump goes deeper. If it's close to you it might be worth while trying to dig deeper or probing, never know what you can find. Alot of the dumps I go to have alot of broken glass. Pulled these bottles out today in a dump with a majority of broken glass.

 

[east texas terry]

View attachment 249118
Here are some of my finds from yesterday mostly surface finds, the bottle in the middle is the closest I’ve got to a whole purple bottle.

I dig mostly in New Mexico and Southern Colorado, I have found multiple dumps that have had purple and aqua glass so pre 1920s, a lot of these dumps are in the desert in ghost towns. I try to dig where I see the most glass on the surface but usually the dirt is almost impossible to dig only a few inches down, could there be anything under the hard dirt or no? It’s kind of disappointing when everything is broken so you would think there would be good stuff underground but I’m not for sure if they would’ve even buried their trash underground when the dirt is so hard, it’s confusing to me also because I know of only one dump by a river which is extremely easy to dig into and I’ve gone 5 feet under, have found lots of good stuff but it’s from 1920 to 1950 so not as old as I want to find. It’s too bad to because they turned the even older dump to a lake long ago and have heard they threw all the bottles in the river. I know of one pre 1920s old mining town dump in the mountains have dug 2 feet under but everything’s broken but might try to go back soon to see if I have luck.

Anyways I’m just wondering if anyone thinks digging these dumps with extremely hard dirt will yield any good results. I also wish to hear advice from any bottlediggers from the SW but anyone’s advice is welcome

View attachment 249119
Some more pics, does anyone know what these square bottles are called I love them though this is my only one which was found in NE NM the bottoms say aceite Mexico

View attachment 249120
A Stewart’s bluing bottle found at the same dump has hard soil and everything’s spread out so not for sure where to dig, surface finds.

In Texas we need cool weather & lots rain It was 103 today

 

[hemihampton]

View attachment 249132
Here are some cans I found the past few months find one every once in a while not that old but they are fun to findView attachment 249133
View attachment 249134View attachment 249135

View attachment 249136
Also adding some bottles I dug today cause why not View attachment 249137View attachment 249140View attachment 249139
Only beer I have though is Budweiser mostly sodas I find

Those cans are all pretty common, but you never when you'll come across a rare one. keep looking. THANKS, LEON.

 

[cordilleran]

Aceite= Vinegar in Spanish.