University of Idaho’s Boise dig turns up more historic artifacts
1 of 8: Finding artifacts is fun and educational.
2 of 8: Cataloging artifacts.
3 of 8: Mark Warner, chair of the UI Sociology and Anthropology department, gets his hands dirty with other participants.
4 of 8: Screening for artifacts.
5 of 8: Digging for artifacts.
6 of 8: Artifacts are carefully packaged and cataloged.
7 of 8: Ammunition shells uncovered at the 2016 archaeology dig.
8 of 8: Toy gun found at Boise archaeological dig.
The site where the dig took place, just south of Officer’s Row, the line of historic buildings on the old fort’s northern edge, is destined to become a parking garage. Because the site is historic, law required the Boise VA Medical Center to do an archaeological survey to locate any artifacts.
Digs like that at the VA that are accessible to the public help give residents a sense of ownership of their city, said Warner.
“We recognize that cities need to grow. You need buildings with modern conveniences, but what holds a city together and gives it character, is its history, places like the VA, or the Idanha Hotel, the Basque Block, all those places that have not been turned into steel and glass. They make history tangible,” said Warner.
Past University of Idaho summer “urban digs” in the oldest parts of Boise have taken place on the Basque Block and in Boise’s River Street neighborhood. Warner said he doesn’t yet know where crews will dig in 2017.
Story by Anna Webb of the Idaho Statesman. Published August 8, 2016. Read the Idaho Statesman’s full coverage of the excavation.
A three-week archaeological excavation on the grounds of the Boise VA Medical Center ended on Friday, Aug. 5. Relics recovered included buttons from military uniforms, bullets, shell casings.
Professional, real-life experiences define the student experience in the College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences. This summer, Mark Warner and five anthropology students, ranging from undergraduates to doctoral students, partnered with the Boise VA Medical Center to get their hands dirty and share Boise’s history with the community.
“And what was a little unexpected, were two or three kids’ toys, including a toy gun,” said Mark Warner, chair of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at the University of Idaho.
For most of its past as a military fort, cavalry training ground, rehabilitation hospital and tuberculosis ward, the site was home to families as well as military personnel, which explains the toys.
Beyond the artifacts, Warner said the dig cemented good relations with the Boise VA Medical Center and the larger community. A 2014 dig explored the old surgeon’s quarters on the site. This year’s dig also drew 300 visitors and 85 volunteers. Several veterans, and local metal detector enthusiasts also pitched in. Students from the College of Western Idaho and Boise State University also participated.
The artifacts, which are owned by the VA, will travel to University of Idaho to be cleaned and catalogued. It’s possible that the artifacts will go on public display at the VA some time in the future.