Elkridge excavation unearths secrets of Maryland’s past

ELKRIDGE, Md. — Centuries value of knowledge is being unearthed at a historic website in Elkridge.

The excavation venture began solely 5 days in the past. It facilities across the enslaved individuals who labored at an iron furnace, a few of whom tried to flee their circumstances.

However archeologists say they’ve uncovered a lot info that they have already got a greater thought of what the positioning seemed like lots of of years in the past.

On Tuesday, Dr. Julie Schablisky walked WJZ across the historic Elkridge furnace website—a location that dates again to 1740.

The Maryland Division of Transportation and the Division of Pure Sources have put $50,000 in direction of unearthing historical past at this location.

There may be proof of human exercise nevertheless it’s not only a workshop.

“We’re discovering marbles, so youngsters had been right here,” Schablisky mentioned.

Two buildings on the property look like dwellings for lower-class households or employees. 

The tales of slaves who tried to flee have roots right here.

Senior archaeologist Aaron Levinthal says he was on the iron furnace for a special venture 20 years in the past. On the time, he’d questioned what was lurking beneath the floor.

Now, he is studying extra about it.

“As we did down, we’re going again in time,” Levinthal mentioned.

The top aim is to get a greater image of what life was like centuries in the past. The artifacts that archaeologists are uncovering are small items of an enormous puzzle.

“It was mundane stuff when it was used, damaged, and disposed of nevertheless it’s vital to us now,” Levinthal mentioned.

That is simply the primary section of a two-week venture. Archaeologists say they plan to return to the identical spot to take part in future initiatives.