In the bustling streets of DUMBO, Brooklyn, a treasure trove of secrets lay hidden beneath the feet of passersby for centuries. A historic restoration project that rewrote the neighborhood's narrow cobblestone streets uncovered thousands of artifacts, shedding light on the lives of people who once called this area home.
As workers dug deeper into the city's infrastructure, they stumbled upon an array of relics that offered a glimpse into Brooklyn's rich past. From children's marbles and Coca Cola bottles to horseshoe fragments and pig's teeth, each find told a story about the people who lived and worked in the area.
Archaeologists on site, led by Mark Tweedie, discovered a multitude of artifacts, with most dating back to the mid-1800s to the mid-1900s. However, some surprisingly ancient relics emerged from the excavation, including copper buttons from the post-Civil War period and Quahog clam shells that dated back centuries.
Tweedie's team unearthed an impressive array of items, including smoking pipes adorned with Liberty Eagle motifs, iron pliers, and a galvanized tin bucket believed to have originated from the construction of the Manhattan Bridge. A 1969 penny and a bicentennial quarter also made an appearance in the haul.
The artifacts are a testament to the area's complex history, which spans over four centuries. The majority of the relics date back to the late 1700s to the early 20th century, reflecting the era when the coastline was landfilling. Each artifact provides a unique narrative about the lives and experiences of those who lived in this vibrant neighborhood.
For Tweedie, the discovery of these artifacts is what makes his job so fascinating – each one tells its own individual story, weaving together to form a rich tapestry of Brooklyn's past. As he looks forward to showcasing some of these relics at the Brooklyn Public Library, it's clear that the true treasure lies not in the artifacts themselves but in the stories they hold.
As workers dug deeper into the city's infrastructure, they stumbled upon an array of relics that offered a glimpse into Brooklyn's rich past. From children's marbles and Coca Cola bottles to horseshoe fragments and pig's teeth, each find told a story about the people who lived and worked in the area.
Archaeologists on site, led by Mark Tweedie, discovered a multitude of artifacts, with most dating back to the mid-1800s to the mid-1900s. However, some surprisingly ancient relics emerged from the excavation, including copper buttons from the post-Civil War period and Quahog clam shells that dated back centuries.
Tweedie's team unearthed an impressive array of items, including smoking pipes adorned with Liberty Eagle motifs, iron pliers, and a galvanized tin bucket believed to have originated from the construction of the Manhattan Bridge. A 1969 penny and a bicentennial quarter also made an appearance in the haul.
The artifacts are a testament to the area's complex history, which spans over four centuries. The majority of the relics date back to the late 1700s to the early 20th century, reflecting the era when the coastline was landfilling. Each artifact provides a unique narrative about the lives and experiences of those who lived in this vibrant neighborhood.
For Tweedie, the discovery of these artifacts is what makes his job so fascinating – each one tells its own individual story, weaving together to form a rich tapestry of Brooklyn's past. As he looks forward to showcasing some of these relics at the Brooklyn Public Library, it's clear that the true treasure lies not in the artifacts themselves but in the stories they hold.
, can you believe all those sick ancient relics just chillin' beneath our feet?! I'm lowkey fascinated by the copper buttons from post-Civil War and those Quahog clam shells that date back centuries 
! Like, how many times do we need to uncover history before it's too late? 
Mark Tweedie's team is straight fire 
, they're like archaeology detectives solving Brooklyn's biggest mystery! The galvanized tin bucket from the Manhattan Bridge construction?! Mind. Blown. 
i mean can you even imagine walking down those streets and not knowing what all the weird stuff was?!? like I need to know more about those copper buttons from the post-civil war period, they're giving me LIFE 
and that Quahog clam shell is just the coolest thing ever 
can't wait to see them at the library! 
And I love how each artifact is like a puzzle piece of Brooklyn's past - it's so cool how they're weaving all these stories together 
i mean, think about it, every single one of those relics has a story behind it, like who owned them, why they were discarded, what kind of life they lived... it's mind-blowing! the fact that some of those copper buttons are from after the civil war is just wild, and those Quahog clam shells? ancient dude! 
. It's amazing to think about all the people who used to walk these streets and live in these buildings, never knowing their stories would be uncovered centuries later 
. I'm fascinated by the little things they found like copper buttons and galvanized tin buckets – it's like stepping into a time capsule! 
what's so fascinating to me is that this project isn't just about uncovering artifacts, but also about preserving the history of the neighborhood and sharing it with future generations. can't wait to see some of these relics at the Brooklyn Public Library! 
. It's astonishing how much we can learn from seemingly ordinary objects like copper buttons and smoking pipes adorned with Liberty Eagle motifs. The fact that these relics have been buried beneath our feet for centuries speaks to the idea of "history as sediment" – where past events leave behind a tangible record, waiting to be uncovered 
. The discovery of these relics is a testament to the importance of preserving and sharing our collective cultural heritage 
. I'm sure it's just a coincidence that they found so many artifacts with such great historical significance. I'd love to see some of these relics in person, but can we at least get an app or online platform that lets us explore them virtually without having to physically visit the library? 
. The array of relics unearthed by Mark Tweedie's team offers a poignant glimpse into the lives of Brooklyn's past residents, from the mundane to the fascinating. It's striking how each artifact holds its own narrative, weaving together to form a rich tapestry that is quintessentially Brooklynian.
. But hey, if people want to go look at old stuff in a library, that's their thing. What I'd rather know is how this stuff got here in the first place? Was it some sort of hidden treasure trove or what? 
And those Quahog clam shells? Must've been used by the old settlers back in the day. It's crazy to think about how many stories are trapped beneath our streets. I wish I could see some of these artifacts in person, would love to learn more about Brooklyn's past...