COURTESY OF THE TAYLOR-BRAY PRESERVATION ASSOCIATION
YARMOUTH PORT – The Taylor-Bray Farm Preservation Association in Yarmouth Port is looking for volunteers for its next archaeological dig.
The archaeological project at the farm began in 2009 when volunteers discovered artifacts below the floorboards of the 18th century farm house and Native American artifacts found at the site indicate a seasonal use of the property dating back at least 3,000 years.
The dig this fall will begin on Thursday, October 15, with a training session for new volunteers on Tuesday, October 14.
“Our focus this fall is on pre-colonial Native American activities at the farm,” said Jack Duggan, the archaeological coordinator of the Taylor-Bray Farm Preservation Association.
The association is not just looking for individuals with archaeological experience.
“We look for volunteers of all ages and all abilities,” Duggan said. “You don’t have to do the strenuous digging if you don’t want to or aren’t up to it.”
Kids are also welcome to participate with an accompanying adult.
“We’ll teach them a bit about archaeology and let them actually have a hand in digging and screening and hopefully finding a spear point, an arrowhead or stone tool,” Duggan said.
Duggan said each digging season since the project began usually discovers something new.
“Last fall we discovered the post hole soil features that give us the exact location of the original 17th century Taylor farm house,” Duggan said. “We went on from there to discover an 18th century addition.”
Anyone interested in volunteering is asked to contact Duggan by email at [email protected] or by phone at 508-385-8631.
The dig is expected to last through early November.
By BRIAN MERCHANT, CapeCod.com NewsCenter
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