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Archaeology

We promote and preserve Boston's many archaeological resources through curation, excavation, and education.

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The City Archaeology Program was founded in 1983 to protect Boston's irreplaceable archaeological resources. Boston has hundreds of known archaeological sites within the City's borders. Archaeology staff curate the archaeological collections at the City’s Archaeology Laboratory. We act as the review and compliance agents for below-ground cultural resources in the City. We also educate the public in archaeology through a number of City programs, and manage Rainsford Island, one of the City’s most important historical holdings.

Please make an appointment if you plan to meet with us. Learn more about our lab's location at 201 Rivermoor Street.

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Upcoming Events

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Upcoming Digs

42-44 Shirley Street
Roxbury
The Archaeology team will begin excavation on September 13, 2022. The house is likely half of a c.1750 stable related to the Shirley-Eustis House and possible slave quarters.
558 Massachusetts Avenue
South End, Headquarters of League of Women for Community Service
558 Massachusetts Avenue was built in 1858. It's one of the only intact single-family townhouses in the South End. It has been the headquarters of the League of Women for Community Service, a Black women's civic organization, since 1920.

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News and announcements

Archeology call out

Archeology Updates for September

Landmarks Commission

City Archaeology Program Brings Boston's History to You

Archaeology

photo of fragments of white-colored ceramics with blue and black painted decoration that look like a shield and knights helmet

City Archaeologist announces federal grant to showcase 17th century artifacts

Archaeology

Image for key areas of boston harbor

City announces tribal and government partnership for an archeological climate action plan

Environment
More Archaeology news

Uncovering Boston's history

Watch: Rare find at the Pierce-Hichborn site
An artifact with King William III's face on it found during a dig in the North End.
Watch: 300-year-old gravestone found
Hear the story of a 300-year-old gravestone found during a construction project in Boston.
More videos from Boston Uncovered
We launched a video series highlighting Boston's history.

Archaeological sites

Boston Common
Archaeologists have conducted archaeological digs on Boston Common for decades, unearthing thousands of years of Boston history
Boston Latin School
Archaeologists surveyed the front yard of Old City Hall to find evidence of the 1635 Boston Latin School.
Brook Farm Archaeological Site
Brook Farm has been home to Boston history for over 5,000 years, from Native sites to a Utopian transcendentalist community.
Chinatown - 6 Hudson Street
Archaeological dig at 6 Hudson Street, former site of Ruby Foo's Den
Clough House
The Clough House, owned by the Old North Church Association, is located at 21 Unity Street in Boston's North End.
Endicott Street Brothel
Archaeologists in the 1990s excavating ahead of the "Big Dig" uncovered the privy of a mid-19th century brothel in the North End.
Faneuil Hall
Archaeologists have conducted two archaeological surveys at Faneuil Hall in 1991 and 2010 discovering tens of thousands of artifacts from Boston's former shipping hub: Town Dock.
Malcolm X House
Archaeologists conducted a survey at the landmark-designated Malcolm X- Ella Little-Collins House.
Paul Revere House & Lathrop Place Archaeological Sites
Archaeologists surveyed the yard of the ca. 1680 Paul Revere House and 5 & 6 Lathrop Place, two 1835 row houses on what was once the back of the Revere property.
Old North Crypt
Archaeologists conducted a dig in the crypt at Old North Church in the North End.
Seaport shipwreck
The remains of a 19th-century lime schooner were discovered during construction at 121 Seaport Boulevard in May 2016.
Training Field Charlestown
The historic Training Field has been an active participant in Charlestown’s history since the 17th century.

Meet the Archaeology team

Archaeology team
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