Posted on 07/17/2007 8:29:12 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
VENTURA, Calif. - The spot where a pair of outhouses stood 130 years ago is proving to be a treasure trove for archaeologists who braved the lingering smell in the dirt to uncover some 19th Century artifacts — and a mystery.
The one-time site of privies for men and women has been built upon repeatedly. Recently, crews demolished a former school bus barn on the 3.5-acre downtown site in order to build a condominium complex and a parking garage.
But first, archaeologists were called in. Beginning in late May, they started digging into the ground in a discovery process that could last several more weeks.
They uncovered a pistol, a knife, whisky flasks, a set of false teeth, two dog skulls and a blade from a set of sheep shears.
"It might be an early crime scene," project archaeologist John Foster said. "It looks like the two dogs were decapitated. Then whoever did it dumped the skulls and the blade, thinking the women probably wouldn't be looking too hard into the bottom of the privy."
The work has its drawbacks.
"The further you go down, the stronger the smell," archaeologist Marisa Solorzano said. "But it's not that bad. These privies are archaeological gold mines."
The site was known to be used historically by American Indians, Spanish missionaries, Mexican soldiers and American settlers. Once, there were brothels nearby. The area, the size of two football fields, housed Ventura's first courthouse, jail and hospital during the late 1800s.
Artifacts found at the site along with photographs and other documentation, eventually will go to the Museum of Ventura County.
Archeologist Val Kirstine checks out an item he excavated while working on a dig in an area that was the women's privy at the site of the first courthouse in Ventura, Calif. An archaeological team has been on site since late May, after demolition crews razed a former school district bus barn and offices on 3.5 acres at East Santa Clara and Junipero streets to make way for a condominium and parking garage project. (AP Photo/www.venturacountystar.com, Rob Varela)
Hey, Foster is a good archaeologist!
He's privvy to many deep and dark secrets!
Well, regardless of their finds, their location guarantees they’ll find sh-....
Ping.
Just because.
They uncovered a pistol, a knife, whisky flasks, a set of false teeth, two dog skulls and a blade from a set of sheep shears.
People sure ate hearty back then.
Just because.
Right!
Hey, Blam! Get a whiff of this!
Once again the evil Americans sh*t on the natives, Catholics and Mexicans.
Peeew! I prefer ‘stuff’ a little more aged, lol.
If this outhouse was in West Virginia it would be called the “Senator Robert F Byrd Outdoor Defecation Center.”
Thanks, I’m glad you scent the link.
I’m pretty sure that, a hundred years ago, when the guy lost the teeth, he just said, screw it, I’ll get some new ones.
First man: "What in the world are you doing?"
Second man: "I had to use the outhouse, but dropped my coat down the hole and now, I'm trying to retrieve it."
First man: "Why would you even WANT that coat anymore?"
Second man: "Oh, I don't want the coat. I know that it's ruined."
First man: "Then why the hell are you trying to retrieve it?"
Second man: "Well, I have a sandwich in one of the pockets and don't want to go without lunch."
There's a nugget of truth to this story.
dirty job??
He should maybe consider wearing a mask or something.
There’s likely to be nasty microorganisms being stirred up?
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