Archaeology

Archaeological Dig at The Oaks

For several summers, Dr. Amy L. Young and students from the Department of Anthropology and Sociology at the University of Southern Mississippi have performed archaeological and historical investigations at The Oaks. Dr. Young has also conducted archaeology camp for youngsters from the Power Academic and Performing Arts Complex (APAC) in Jackson.

The continuing archaeological field work is uncovering the footprints of the significant outbuildings and locations of the original Boyd household’s work activities – providing an understanding of the 19th-century urbanizing processes at a middle-class house and lot.

Dr. Amy L. Young

We now have identified the exact location of the original Boyd kitchen and its brick hearth. Typical to most 19th-century Southern home sites, the kitchen was behind and detached from the house – some distance away due to the fire hazard and heat of the daily work that took place in and around the kitchen.  This detached building was razed in the early 20th century.

From shards found at the site, we know many types of ceramics, porcelains and other materials used by the Boyd family in their daily work. We have learned where they grew vegetables and where they slaughtered animals for food.

Archaeological Team from USM at The Oaks

Future field studies will yield more history about this urban farmstead. Coming soon to The Oaks is a special display of artifacts found in the archeological explorations.

The Oaks’ archaeological project has been sponsored in part by grants from the Mississippi Department of Archives & History, ChemFirst/First Mississippi Corporation Charitable Fund of the Community Foundation of Greater Jackson, and from the Charles Evans Hughes Memorial Fund of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.