Underground Harvard: The archaeology of college life

Excavations conducted in Harvard Yard from 1984 to 1987 produced a wealth of data relating to the early days of Harvard College. The excavations revealed the site of the first college building (1638-ca. 1679) and provided information about the construction and appearance of the structure. Information about the changing use and appearance of Harvard Yard was also recovered.;In this study the results of the excavations are presented and interpreted. Artifacts dating to the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries are used to create a more complete picture of student and college life than can be formed by using historical documents alone. An examination of changing artifact frequencies through time suggests changes in the behavior of college residents. In addition, some artifacts hint at the institutional nature of Harvard College.