Since 2012, archaeologists from the Cultural Resources Survey Program (CRSP) at the New York State Museum have been working alongside a highway construction project in Utica, uncovering artifacts from the early 19th century.
The CRSP work in Utica centers around the location of the former Chenango Canal. Archaeologists have uncovered evidence of what life was like in the Utica area in the early to mid-1800s, from pieces of pottery to household goods to children’s toys.
“This is a unique opportunity to look at a snapshot in time and study what life was like for an average working class citizen in the Utica area in the early 19th century,” says State Archaeologist Christina Rieth.
The project is expected to be completed in the next few years, after which the artifacts are expected to be added to the Museum’s collections and made available to researchers.
A selection of the artifacts is on display at the New York State Museum on Madison Avenue in Albany throughout the month of May.
Photos provided: Above, an 1859 coin recovered from debris; and below, a milk bottle found among
household debris.
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