Why we are digging in this part of the park?

In 1983, archaeologists studied Killens Pond State Park to locate places where Native Americans, African Americans, and Euro-Americans had lived and worked.

On this hill, we found pieces of broken ceramic dishes. The dishes had been made in England between about 1760 and 1820. This told us that someone had lived here during that time.

How do we know who lived here?

Rarely does archaeology tell us who lived at a particular site. When we explored historical documents, we found that an African-American farmer named Charles Tilton had purchased 120 acres here in 1803. He had lived on the property, with his wife and children, for several years before that.

How did we decide exactly where to dig?

When we decided to explore Charles Tilton farmstead, we first dug small shovel tests in a grid pattern across the site. Then we counted the artifacts in the shovel tests and drew maps showing where different kinds of artifacts were found across the site. One map showed where brick fragments were found. The brick fragments were probably from a fireplace or foundation. We decided to start digging where the most brick fragments were found because this was likely where the house was located.

What have we found so far?

In our excavations at the Charles Tilton site, we have found nails, pieces of iron pots, fragments of ceramic dishes, and chunks of glass. The most important find, however, is the remains of a six-foot long brick wall. This wall is probably part of the Tilton house. Now we know we are looking in the right place!

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