To commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill, archaeologists in Boston have undertaken several projects to uncover more about this historic clash and what the Charlestown neighborhood was like before and after.
During the battle on June 17, 1775, Charlestown was almost completely burned to the ground. Now, archaeologists are exploring this neighborhood’s little-known story as they sift through the rubble to find artifacts that shed light on everyday life at the outset of the Revolutionary War.
Archaeologists are also using historical records and archives to figure out what happened to local residents after the British used heated cannonballs to set Charlestown ablaze. Many residents never returned to their old homes, opting instead to relocate to other areas of Massachusetts and New England. But the story of Charlestown remains, hidden just beneath the dirt.
How Historical Documents And Archaeological Digs Are Revealing The Story Of Charlestown
These archaeological projects are being conducted by the City of Boston Archaeology Program, with the aim of highlighting the everyday lives of those who have gone underrepresented in the typical narrative of history. Through historical research and archaeological digs, scholars hope to tell the stories of the women, children, disabled residents, enslaved people, and Black and Indigenous people who lived in Charlestown…