Unusual or Historical Artifacts
Occasionally, important historical documents, such as newspapers, letters, or legal papers, have been found hidden within the structure of a home, providing insights into the past. Sometimes renovators will find more valuable historic items – like pottery or tell-tale remnants from the past.
According to This Old House, “Ideally, if you live in an old house you should call the state historic-preservation office before you begin work on an addition. But if the backhoe crashes into pottery fragments while breaking ground, it’s not too late. In most states, unless you come across human remains, you’re not obligated to call in the experts. However, proper identification of artifacts—even a dig of the site—could reveal a lot about the earlier occupants.”
