We have reached the halfway point of the 2017 Michilimackinac archaeology field season. We have known since the project began that this was a fur trader’s house, and the numerous trade artifacts recovered this summer confirm that. We have found over a dozen gunflints, four trade gun caliber musket balls, several fishhooks, fragments from two Jesuit rings and glass beads in many colors and sizes. These have mostly come from the interior of the house.
In two areas of the interior, it appears that the beach sand that underlies the fort has been exposed. In the northeast area of the excavation, this sand is cut through by an as-yet-unidentified feature, possibly the remains of a wall or joist.
The root cellar has continued deeper. It yielded the most unusual artifact of the season, a fancy furniture lock, possibly from a small chest.
We have opened a new quad on the north edge of the excavation. In it we have exposed the top of the 1781 demolition rubble, although it is cut into by concrete piers from 1960s displays.
What will the second half of the season hold? Stay tuned for a wrap up post in October, or better yet, come visit us at Michilimackinac.
We will be on site every day though August 26, weather permitting.
