Test hole dug on my First privy/trash pit?

[woods_walker]

Found a nice depression in the ground at an old house site. I used my 16” homemade probe to test it for glass. Found the bottom to a small crock maybe 12” deep so decided to come back with a shovel to dig a test hole. Got about 2 feet down and this is what I’ve found so far. Few other bits of metal to that I left behind. Looks like I saw some ash down there and bits of charcoal. Not sure if it’s a privy or just a trash pit they dug. Right next to a bunch of lilac trees so I’m guessing outhouse. I’m thinking 1880’s - 1890’s but not sure what do you all think? This is all I found at about 2 feet down with a 2 foot wide hole.

Not sure what this pile of rocks is maybe an old well? (This isn’t where I dug my test hole)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ROBBYBOBBY64]

Found a nice depression in the ground at an old house site. I used my 16” homemade probe to test it for glass. Found the bottom to a small crock maybe 12” deep so decided to come back with a shovel to dig a test hole. Got about 2 feet down and this is what I’ve found so far. Few other bits of metal to that I left behind. Looks like I saw some ash down there and bits of charcoal. Not sure if it’s a privy or just a trash pit they dug. Right next to a bunch of lilac trees so I’m guessing outhouse. I’m thinking 1880’s - 1890’s but not sure what do you all think? This is all I found at about 2 feet down with a 2 foot wide hole.

Not sure what this pile of rocks is maybe an old well? (This isn’t where I dug my test hole)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Interesting. You have a longer probe? The well I found was covered in stones similar to the picture you took. Pull the stones away and see what they are hiding. I would did deeper in the spot you found the shards of glass. Maybe widen the hole if it wasn't deeper maybe it is wider.
ROBBYBOBBY64.

 

[PlaneDiggerCam]

Those shards of glass are definitely 1880s or older. I.d Keep looking around that area.I also agree with ROBBYBOBBY64 the hole may be wider or deeper. The embossed shard you have there is a F.W. Kingsman strapside oval Druggist bottle that clearly says New York City formally Augusta, Maine (He moved).

 

[hemihampton]

If you had a longer Probe, like 5 feet you could probe deeper & even probe the size of it, how wide it is or big around it is. Some experience with a probe would help you out a lot, it would let you know to move on or keep digging. LEON.

 

[ROBBYBOBBY64]

If you had a longer Probe, like 5 feet you could probe deeper & even probe the size of it, how wide it is or big around it is. Some experience with a probe would help you out a lot, it would let you know to move on or keep digging. LEON.

Experience is the key to using a probe with any measure of success. I used to not be able to tell a bottle from a rock. Some small stone back then sounded like shards. I now have a better more professional probe. My first probe was a snap-on screw driver. It was 25 inches long which I still have. It kind of worked for me being a newbie.
ROBBYBOBBY64.

 

[woods_walker]

Those shards of glass are definitely 1880s or older. I.d Keep looking around that area.I also agree with ROBBYBOBBY64 the hole may be wider or deeper. The embossed shard you have there is a F.W. Kingsman strapside oval Druggist bottle that clearly says New York City formally Augusta, Maine (He moved).

Wow I’m surprised you could identify that bottle I could barley read the embossing myself! I’m not sure if someone back in the 70s beat me here or not. I’m way out in the woods and the only dump I found was way to small to looking. Only a few broken crock shards and a couple rusty pals on the surface. I probed around the shards but 6in down is solid rock and on top is solid cedar tree roots so not the easiest stuff to dig threw.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[woods_walker]

If you had a longer Probe, like 5 feet you could probe deeper & even probe the size of it, how wide it is or big around it is. Some experience with a probe would help you out a lot, it would let you know to move on or keep digging. LEON.

I wish I had a longer probe I just don’t have much use for one at most of the places i dig. I think I’ll have to bring a bigger shovel in and just put in the work.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[woods_walker]

Experience is the key to using a probe with any measure of success. I used to not be able to tell a bottle from a rock. Some small stone back then sounded like shards. I now have a better more professional probe. My first probe was a snap-on screw driver. It was 25 inches long which I still have. It kind of worked for me being a newbie.
ROBBYBOBBY64. View attachment 208706

I have that same problem the rocks I hit do sound a lot like the bottles. It doesn’t help that I have a wood handle on the end of my homemade probe lol!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ROBBYBOBBY64]

I have that same problem the rocks I hit do sound a lot like the bottles. It doesn’t help that I have a wood handle on the end of my homemade probe lol!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The hollow tube handle amplifies the sound like a powered speaker amplifies music...well it's music to my ears!
ROBBYBOBBY64.

 

[woods_walker]

The hollow tube handle amplifies the sound like a powered speaker amplifies music...well it's music to my ears!
ROBBYBOBBY64.

I agree with you 100% !


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk