Found a small privy site

[georgeoj]

Four feet by eight feet. We have removed much of the fill (about nine cubic yards). The tip of the shovel is resting where I have removed the cap (bricks and mortar) from the bottom of the fill section. Privy material is below the cap. I will keep you posted on any finds. The fill was 1890/1900 dump material. There were some broken beers and a few unbroken but not embossed bottles in the fill along with broken pottery, stoneware etc.

I guess I could have found something a little easier for a first dig but the area may be a parking lot next year.

George

 

[JOETHECROW]

Good luck with your dig...keep us posted..[]

 

[deenodean]

I am excited! []

 

[cacarpetbagger]

Good luck, look forward to seeing some bottle pics.

 

[Jim]

Good luck, George. 1890-1900 material in the top fill is a good sign. ~Jim

 

[madman]

keep us posted

 

[baltbottles]

What is that thing lined with?

Chris

 

[georgeoj]

The walls are loose laid rocks with a mortar inside face. The surface looks like a plastered wall.

 

[olddog21]

Are you sure you are not digging in a foundation of some kind. Not many privies had the wall covered with cement. There could be some good stuff in the foundation.

 

[georgeoj]

The dig was a bust. We did find a few bottles in the fill material but that was it. After busting thru the double layered bottom of the 4X8 tub, we found only natural soil underneath. The tub must have been the original design with regular dipping. Here is a picture of my digging partner, Mark. We dug about three feet below the bottom of the tub prior to deciding to give it up. Going to check out a cistern that is supposed to be " full of medicine bottles " on Monday.
George