Long time, no post. Trying to keep the forum alive and would rather not post on Bragbook. As always, feedback or recommendations are welcome because I'm a noob.
After searching for over a year across different states, I believe I finally found my first undug well. I happened upon this spot by pure luck in an abandoned lot with tree cover. The only thing that could make this dig spot better is finding some nice old glass at the bottom
Once I saw the giant, crumbling tree at the center of the scrub spot, I felt I had a really good chance of finding something. Luck, coincidence, or something else led me to a depression in the ground where I could spot a few bricks sticking out. Initially I just thought this might be leftovers from a demolished building or lot filler, but after some really tough digging I noticed a familiar pattern of a round arrangement of bricks that I've seen in pictures. This "well" is about 2-3 feet in diameter.
Admittedly I have no idea what I'm doing. I get to a point 16" down where I hit hard clay but can see the brick wall keeps going further down. I call a friend to confirm what I'm seeing and get the green light to DIG. This clay cap layer would have been used to seal the well and can vary in depth, so I went to digging using a variety of techniques to help me chip away the hard clay. Hardest stuff I've had to dig so far.
Two china fragments (under the clay) and modern glass (before the clay layer) unearthed but nothing notable so far. I feel like I'm mostly through the hard clay layer, but the pit is so narrow and deep that it's getting tough to pull dirt out. I finished the day with worn hands and back with about 30" or so dirt and clay pulled out. I think I'll bring a bucket next time.
By the end of the day, I was proud to have found the spot but ashamed at how little progress I made by myself in a few hours. Tomorrow at the crack of dawn I'll be back at it again with the goal of completing this dig 100% by tomorrow. I don't think I can afford to wait another week because the trees would lose their coverage and expose me for the dirty digger I am.
After searching for over a year across different states, I believe I finally found my first undug well. I happened upon this spot by pure luck in an abandoned lot with tree cover. The only thing that could make this dig spot better is finding some nice old glass at the bottom
Once I saw the giant, crumbling tree at the center of the scrub spot, I felt I had a really good chance of finding something. Luck, coincidence, or something else led me to a depression in the ground where I could spot a few bricks sticking out. Initially I just thought this might be leftovers from a demolished building or lot filler, but after some really tough digging I noticed a familiar pattern of a round arrangement of bricks that I've seen in pictures. This "well" is about 2-3 feet in diameter.
Admittedly I have no idea what I'm doing. I get to a point 16" down where I hit hard clay but can see the brick wall keeps going further down. I call a friend to confirm what I'm seeing and get the green light to DIG. This clay cap layer would have been used to seal the well and can vary in depth, so I went to digging using a variety of techniques to help me chip away the hard clay. Hardest stuff I've had to dig so far.
Two china fragments (under the clay) and modern glass (before the clay layer) unearthed but nothing notable so far. I feel like I'm mostly through the hard clay layer, but the pit is so narrow and deep that it's getting tough to pull dirt out. I finished the day with worn hands and back with about 30" or so dirt and clay pulled out. I think I'll bring a bucket next time.
By the end of the day, I was proud to have found the spot but ashamed at how little progress I made by myself in a few hours. Tomorrow at the crack of dawn I'll be back at it again with the goal of completing this dig 100% by tomorrow. I don't think I can afford to wait another week because the trees would lose their coverage and expose me for the dirty digger I am.
