What time period are the artifacts from?

The artifacts being sought and excavated are from the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries.

What significant discovery was made during the excavation?

Instead of just finding evidence of secularization, the team discovered remains of the 1677 to 1764 Harvard Hall and evidence of the fire that consumed it, including burnt brick, nails, and melted glass.

What happens to the excavated items?

Once excavated, the items become part of the museum collection, providing access to information for current and future students.

What is the educational value of the Harvard Yard Archaeology Project for students?

The project offers students a unique experience, allowing them to feel like real archaeologists and gain a deep understanding of their school's history and past student life.

When did the Harvard Yard Archaeology Project start?

The Harvard Yard Archaeology Project began in 2005.

Harvard Yard Archaeology Project celebrates 20th anniversary

Harvard University

Education3 min read2 min video

Dec 24, 2025|16,147 views|466|16

harvard archaeology anthropology harvard archaeology harvard anthropology peabody museum harvard peabody museum harvard research harvard class diana loren patricia capone kelsey culbertson

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Key Moments

TL;DR

Harvard Yard Archaeology Project celebrates 20 years uncovering student life history.

Key Insights

The Harvard Yard Archaeology Project has been active for 20 years, excavating artifacts to understand historical student life.

The project is a collaboration between the Peabody Museum, the Department of Anthropology, and the Harvard University Native American program.

Student participation in the project provides hands-on archaeological experience and historical learning.

Excavations aim to understand the transition of Harvard from a Puritan to a secular institution and its impact on student life.

Recent findings include evidence of a fire that destroyed a 1677-1764 Harvard Hall building.

Excavated artifacts become part of the museum collection, offering continuity for student research across generations.

THE HARVARD YARD ARCHAEOLOGY PROJECT'S MISSION

Now celebrating its 20th anniversary, the Harvard Yard Archaeology Project serves as a vital tool for uncovering buried histories. Since its inception in 2005, the initiative has focused on excavating artifacts within Harvard Yard to shed light on the university's past. It represents a significant collaboration, bringing together the expertise of the Peabody Museum, the Department of Anthropology, and the Harvard University Native American program. This interdisciplinary approach allows for a comprehensive understanding of the historical layers within the campus grounds.

STUDENTS AS ARCHAEOLOGISTS

A core component of the project involves undergraduate students participating directly in archaeological digs as part of their coursework. This hands-on experience allows students to connect deeply with the history of their own institution. They actively engage in the process of excavation, learning archaeological techniques firsthand. This immersive approach fosters a profound understanding of the daily lives and experiences of students who walked the same grounds centuries before them.

INVESTIGATING HISTORICAL TRANSITIONS

The project's excavations between Harvard Hall and Holden Chapel were specifically designed to investigate a pivotal period in Harvard's history. Researchers aimed to understand how student life evolved as the university transitioned from its Puritan roots to a more secular institution in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. By examining the material culture from this era, the project seeks to reveal the societal and cultural shifts that influenced the student experience.

DISCOVERIES: EVIDENCE OF DESTRUCTION

During their excavations, the team unearthed significant evidence related to the destruction of a former Harvard Hall building constructed in 1677 and lost to fire around 1764. The site yielded a distinct layer of burnt brick, nails, and melted glass, providing tangible proof of the catastrophic event. This discovery offers a direct glimpse into a specific historical incident and its physical impact on the university's built environment.

PRESERVING THE PAST FOR THE FUTURE

Artifacts recovered from the excavations are meticulously cataloged and integrated into the permanent collection of the Peabody Museum. This ensures that the material evidence of Harvard's past is preserved for future study and public access. Importantly, students participating in the project today gain access to the findings from previous digs, creating a continuous cycle of learning and discovery that spans decades and connects generations of students.

THE VALUE OF ARCHAEOLOGY IN STORYTELLING

The Harvard Yard Archaeology Project underscores archaeology's power to unearth narratives that might otherwise remain lost. By sifting through layers of history, the project reveals the untold stories embedded within the material record. The active involvement of students, coupled with the collaboration of university departments, ensures that Harvard's evolving history is not only studied but also actively reconstructed and understood through tangible evidence.

Mentioned in This Episode

●Organizations

Common Questions

The project aims to unearth untold stories by digging for artifacts from the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. It seeks to understand how student lives changed as Harvard transitioned from a Puritan to a secular institution.

Topics

Harvard University Museum Studies Historical Artifacts Student Life Excavation Campus History Tercentennial Fieldwork

Mentioned in this video

organizationHarvard Yard Archaeology Project

A collaborative project involving the Peobody Museum, the Department of Anthropology, and the Harvard University Native American Program, focused on excavating artifacts from Harvard Yard.

organizationPeabody Museum

One of the collaborating institutions for the Harvard Yard Archaeology Project.

buildingHolden Chapel

A building in Harvard Yard, located near the excavation site.

organizationDepartment of Anthropology

One of the collaborating departments for the Harvard Yard Archaeology Project.

organizationHarvard University Native American Program

A collaborating program for the Harvard Yard Archaeology Project.

buildingHarvard Hall

A building in Harvard Yard, significant to the archaeology project. A previous version of Harvard Hall from 1677-1764 was consumed by fire.