Digging into Buffalo's Past
Local historians are working at Buffalo's Canalside in the attempt to learn a little more about our city's rich history.
YNN's Kate McGowan shows us more about the new project that's giving the present a glimpse into the past.
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BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The search is on. A team of historians from University at Buffalo are digging up whatever they can find.
The goal...
"We're digging for the story of Buffalo!"
It's dirty work, and at times, challenging. But something the historians said is important in learning more about the way of life more than a century ago.
"As we get farther down, we're getting farther into the story of Buffalo. And we're recovering artifacts of people's daily lives. Whether it's residential or commercial artifacts," said historian, Nathan Montague.
The archeological dig along the waterfront is another Canalside initiative to show everyone what Buffalo has to offer.
And the historians said you'll never believe what they've uncovered at past digs.
"They found what is probably a cannon ball. It could also have been ships ballast. There are plates, some of them are plates that would be used on a daily basis," said Montague.
So far, at the Main Street site, the team has found building materials dating back to the 1800's, as well as...
"A lot of brick and a lot of mortar, also a lot of coal and coal ash," a historian said.
Montague said the artifacts show how Buffalo was an industrialized city, and relied on the waterfront for transportation and economic means.
"A lot of settlers came through Buffalo and walked down Main Street, the street behind me, and got onto ships to head out west to settle. This area in the 19th century was incredibly important part of the national economy actually," said Montague.
They've only been digging for a few days, and have a ways to go. The project will finish up at the end of August and all artifacts will be added to a historic collection.
All are encouraged to check it out and be a part of this historical discovery.
If you wish to find out more information about Canalside events, you can click here