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City unearths artifacts from 1800s near Old North Church

They found ceramic pottery, children's toys, religious figurines and medicine bottles.

Archaeologists unearthed a tobacco pipe with a shamrock design at the Old North Church this week. City of Boston

September 16, 2016

1 minute to read

Boston archaeologists this week got one step closer to discovering what life was like for European immigrants in the 1800s, as the city unearthed a treasure trove of artifacts buried near the Old North Church.

The artifacts mostly include ceramic pottery, children’s toys, religious figurines and medicine bottles, the city of Boston said in statement. One of the most notable finds is a clay tobacco pipe engraved with an Irish shamrock design.

“The main takeaway here is that history is more than just what’s been written down,” city archaeologist Joseph Bagley said in the statement. “Lots of personal stories just get lost to time. Archaeology is one of the best ways to reveal those stories, and bring them back from the past. The people who lived in this house did not have the economic means to really be part of the group who were recorded in Boston’s history.”

The dig site, the Washington Garden at the Old North Church, is one of the best areas to find disposed artifacts in Boston, Bagley said.

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A reverend at the church, Stephen Ayres, said he’s grateful for the archaeological work done on the garden.

“Joe’s research gives us a much better sense of the rich history of our neighborhood and is invaluable as the Old North Foundation prepares to restore the campus in time for Old North’s 300th birthday in 2023,” he said in the statement.

The dig was conducted earlier this week by volunteers.

The city will return in the winter to conduct a dig in the church’s underground tombs.

“I’m excited to see the rich history of this historic neighborhood come to life through these artifacts,” Mayor Martin J. Walsh said in the statement. “We’ve explored privies in the North End before, but not one that captures a complete snapshot of the immigrant story. This is an exciting discovery that offers a real-life glimpse into our past.”

The dig crew is still working on deciphering some of the found artifacts.

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