Marines help dig up history with the Public Archaeology Corps

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A non-profit in Wilmington, Public Archaeology Corps is digging up artifacts downtown on Front Street to learn more about the history and protect archaeological sites.

Monday, the marines joined them, to hand dig using trowels, sift through the dirt, and clean the artifacts.

At this site, located at 10 S Front Street, along the waterfront, they’ve gathered information from the 1700s.

They’ve collected numerous artifacts including shells, teeth, and glass ware.

Marine Corporal Tanner Polinski enjoyed finding artifacts that will help tell the history of Wilmington.

“It’s pretty cool. If you like history, it’s not a bad thing to do, go out and see what you can find out here,” Polinski shared before adding, “Uncovering the story of what happened here like what life was like and all that.”

Jon Schleier the executive director of Public Archaeology Corps says “We are going back into the 1750s into a time where we don’t have a lot of the records to back I historic account. So, we are looking at this particular site which is located on the waterfront and in a way we are being given a look into kind of how the land looked in the 1750s and 1740s.” 

Schleier adds that where they are digging is where the Cape Fear River used to reach. 

On Saturdays, the public is welcome to help dig at the site.

For more information or if you are looking to donate you can head to their website.