25,000 Artifacts Could Be Hiding Beneath a Typical Old Town Alexandria Backyard
Virginia Archaeology Month in October offers a look at what has been found across the city
By Pat Malone | Zebra Press Staff
ALEXANDRIA, VA — What is buried beneath your backyard?
If you live in Old Town, there could be a lot more down there than you think.
The City of Alexandria says excavation of a typical Old Town townhouse backyard yields approximately 25,000 artifacts. If the yard contains a trash-filled historic well or privy, the city says that number doubles.
The estimate comes from archaeological work at more than 70 Old Town sites. The city says those excavations have shown that virtually all properties contain artifacts.
October is Virginia Archaeology Month. Alexandria has several programs planned, and residents can also learn what archaeologists have already found around the city.
Old foundations, wells, privies and other features can remain underground for generations. Wells and privies were sometimes used for household trash after they were no longer needed. What was thrown away can help archaeologists determine what earlier residents ate, how they decorated their homes and how they lived.
A Sinkhole in the Backyard?
A small depression or sinkhole in a backyard could be something more.
Alexandria has a Backyard Archaeology program for property owners who discover sinkholes or small circular depressions. Some may be the remains of old wells or privies.
Residents can contact Alexandria Archaeology at 703-746-4399 or submit a 311 service request for “sinkhole on property.”
City archaeologists may request photographs or permission to visit. They do not dig during the visit. They record the information, advise the property owner and recommend how to address the sinkhole while protecting a possible well or privy.
The city warns against allowing people who are not City of Alexandria archaeologists to dig into suspected wells or privies simply to retrieve old bottles. Removing objects without documenting where they were found can destroy information about the people who once lived on the property.
Metal detecting, digging and removing objects from City of Alexandria property are prohibited.
Want to Know What’s Under Your Yard?
Professional archaeological consultants can use ground-penetrating radar, or GPR, and other equipment to investigate below the surface without immediately digging.
That has already been done in Alexandria. Rhea Engineers & Consultants conducted noninvasive surveys at Douglass Memorial and Penny Hill cemeteries using GPR and electrical conductivity equipment. The work identified over 2,800 probable graves across the two cemeteries.
GPR detects changes below ground that professionals can analyze. Depending on the results, more archaeological work may be needed to determine what is actually there.
Alexandria maintains a list of archaeological consultants that have completed approved projects in the city during the past 10 years.
What About Financial Help?
Some owners of historic properties may qualify for preservation tax incentives. Finding artifacts or paying for a GPR survey, however, does not automatically qualify someone for a tax credit.
Virginia’s Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit is equal to 25% of eligible rehabilitation expenses for qualifying projects. The state program is available to qualifying owner-occupied homes as well as income-producing properties. Property owners should check eligibility with the Virginia Department of Historic Resources before beginning work.
Archaeology Events in October
Saturday, Oct. 3, 10 a.m.-noon: Descendants of Frederick Douglass Memorial Cemetery and Office of Historic Alexandria archaeologists and historians will gather at the cemetery, 1421 Wilkes St. The free program will focus on efforts to interpret and preserve the historic site.
Saturday, Oct. 10, 7 a.m.-noon: Alexandria Archaeology and research historian Greg Beaman will be at the Old Town Farmers’ Market, 100 block of North Royal Street, to discuss the latest research into City Hall and Market Square. The program is free.
The Alexandria Archaeology Museum is on the third floor of the Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N. Union St. Admission is free.
For More Information
- Alexandria Archaeology and Virginia Archaeology Month
- Backyard Archaeology
- Alexandria archaeological consultants
- Virginia Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits
- City of Alexandria Historic Preservation
The next time you’re standing in an Old Town backyard, think about the city’s estimate: approximately 25,000 artifacts from a typical townhouse yard.
What might be under yours?
