Basking Ridge, NJ: Lord Sterling Manor

For years Stacy has been telling me about Lord Sterling. His wife, Lady Sterling, was the focus of her graduate dissertation. Since the early 2000s she has been involved with this site. When I heard they were having a public archaeology day, I decided to make the hour-long drive to Basing Ridge to see the place for myself.

Atop where Lord Sterling's 18th century home stood is a 1923 Marshall Fields catalogue home. I happen to think that is more exciting than his original home. The dig site is trying to learn more about what happened.

In the 1980s Mr. Cooper did extensive archaeology. He uncovered over 80,000 artifacts. Even after culling the collection, there were still 50,000 left. Some of the highlights were on display inside the house. Outside students were excavating place where Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) identified there were things of interest under the ground, such as a cistern on either end, part of a hearth, etc.

I showed up at lunchtime so I did not see the students at work. There are students doing field work for college credit, and Hunter Research professionals on hand.

It is so much fun to see the underground world they are uncovering.

I left with archaeology envy. It is clear they are well-funded. The metal trays they use for drying artifacts have holes in the bottom for draining and rest inside a metal cart. Throughout the site were similar hints of money behind the project -- things the students involved likely do not even appreciate.

As today was the last digging day I asked if they were filling in the sites by the end of the day. They looked at me funny and said, no someone else will do that later. Someone from the county, or maybe from Hunter Research. People will study it before sealing it all up again. Yup, they don't know how spoiled they are. 

I'm glad I made the trip. I wish it was closer.