Archaeological Dig Underway At 18th Century Merchant’s Site

FORT EDWARD, N.Y. (AP) — An archaeological project has returned to the site of an 18th century merchant's store that was located next to a British fort along the upper Hudson River.

SUNY Adirondacks' annual field school began excavating the sutler's site earlier this month in the village of Fort Edward, 45 miles north of Albany. Fort Edward was Britain's largest fortification during the French and Indian War.

Sutlers were civilians contracted by the British army to sell goods to troops. The field school last dug at the site of the sutler's cabin a few years ago, when artifacts such as pottery, glass and even a bayonet were found.

Field school director David Starbuck tells The Saratogian that the sutler's house is the only one in the nation that has ever been excavated by professional archaeologists.

The field school runs through Aug. 17

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Information from: The Saratogian, http://www.saratogian.com