Archaeological dig unfolds at intriguing Civil War site
SALT LAKE CITY — University of Utah archaeologists are excavatingasandstonefoundation believed to be a military barracks built at Fort Douglas during the Civil War.
Thesandstonefoundationwas accidentally discovered about four years ago by contractors digging a utility trench at the historic landmark overseen by the university, the Deseret News reported .
“We don’t get Civil War archaeology in Utah to begin with and definitely not in such an accessible location,” said Sheri Ellis, an archaeological consultant for Certus Environmental Solutions.
Thefirmisworkingwiththeutah Divisionofstatehistorytodetermine the significance of what is foundattheexcavationsites.
In addition to uncovering history, the excavation also will help mitigate the damage caused by the trench-diggers.
Members of the public have been helping with the effort and have un- covered items by sifting through dirt.
“It’s a wonderful way to involve the public in their history, to bring history to life,” said Mike Mower, deputy chief of staff for Utah Gov. Gary Herbert, who stopped by the site in late September.
Sofar,buttons,ablackenedbut intact inkwell, military insignia and discarded bullet casings have been found in what is believed to be a small trash deposit.
Archaeologists hope the items will provide clues about the people who established Fort Douglas. The founders are believed to have been volunteer soldiers who came to Utah during the Civil War to establish a military presence in the state, Ellis said.
Evidence suggests that women andchildrenalsowereatthesite, meaning entire families could have arrived at one time.
“You don’t know what you’re going to find with something like this,” Ellis said. “You really don’t know whatyou’regettinginto,andplans can change along the way depending on what you find.”