An Archeological Dig
By Krystle J Bailey
Archaeologists from Monmouth University, along with members of the public and The Patriots for Somers Mansion, broke historic ground in Somers Point last week – literally. On Saturday, May 6, a team of anthropologists and archaeologists dug two, 4-foot-deep holes in the front yard of Atlantic County’s oldest standing building in search of proverbial “gold” that would color in the gaps of history.
The team of experts dug for five hours in search of artifacts that help tell the story of the Somers Family, early Somers Point settlers, and the Lenape tribe. Horseshoes, needles, ceramics, and more were discovered throughout the day as one scoop of dirt after another was carefully sifted through. The shells, bones and other finds allow storytellers and historians to understand the most minute details of 18th-century living. Dozens of oyster and clam shells were discovered, giving clues to their diets and confirming what New Jersey-natives have always known, that seafood is a main food group at the Jersey Shore.
The mansion, once home to the Somers Family, was built in 1720 by Richard Somers. The three story building sits on the corner of Shore Road and MacArthur Blvd, on land that is rich with history. The mansion is now a State Historic Site, showcasing a collection of textiles, quilts, furniture, and more that preserve the stories of the Somers Family and colonial era living. Ownership of the property was transferred to the Atlantic County Historical Society in 1941 and is maintained by the 501c3 organization, The Patriots for Somers Mansion.
Saturday’s dig was led by Dr. Rich Veit, Professor of Anthropology and Associate Dean of the School of Humanities at Monmouth University. Several of his students helped to lead, inform, and guide the excavation. Members of the public were invited to participate using giant sifters to search for clues from the past. Each find was carefully documented, including what it was and which layer of earth it was discovered in. Each layer told a different story, as the deeper they dug, the further back in history they traveled.
Under the leadership of historian Dr. Levi Fox, the dig was paid for by the New Jersey Council for the Humanities Grant. Saturday’s findings will be cleaned up, catalogged at Montmouth University, and returned back to the mansion for generations of history enthusiasts to enjoy.
For tours and information about Somers Mansion, visit PatriotsofSomersMansion.org.
Krystle J Bailey is a multimedia journalist, author and poet. Connect with Krystle on Instagram @thedailybailey5
