Archaeologists unearth historical artifacts during dig at Colonial Michilimackinac — see the discoveries here

Authorities said a pair of joined sleeve buttons -- similar to a modern cufflink -- from 1781 were discovered on Wednesday
Some exciting new discoveries were uncovered in recent weeks during an archeological dig at Colonial Michilimackinac, an 18th-century fort and fur trading village in Mackinac City.
Photo credit Mackinac State Historic Parks

MACKINAC CITY (WWJ) - Some exciting new discoveries were uncovered in recent weeks during an archeological dig at Colonial Michilimackinac, an 18th-century fort and fur trading village in Mackinac City.

Officials has been focusing efforts on a rowhouse unit that once stood in the historic town and say the dig has yielded a wide range of items, from a shoe buckle to a folded iron barrel band, officials with the Mackinac State Historic Parks said.

The most recent find was made Wednesday, Aug. 10, when a set of joined sleeve buttons made from green glass paste "stones" and set in brass -- similar to modern cufflinks -- were unearthed.

Officials said the buttons were discovered in the 1781 demolition rubble layer, which has continued to yield interesting finds.

"As in other areas of this house, a variety of ceramic sherds and ornate personal adornment items have been recovered," officials said. "...The finial from the buttplate of a French trade gun was a more unusual find."

The parks system said a couple of artifacts possibly related to Anishnaabek presence have also been found.

"These include several pieces of a stone smoking pipe bowl and a fragment of carved antler," authorities said.

Some exciting new discoveries were uncovered in recent weeks during an archeological dig at Colonial Michilimackinac, an 18th-century fort and fur trading village in Mackinac City.
The House E site with all of the squares open. Photo credit Mackinac State Historic Parks
Some exciting new discoveries were uncovered in recent weeks during an archeological dig at Colonial Michilimackinac, an 18th-century fort and fur trading village in Mackinac City.
Bowl with rim fragment held in place. Photo credit Mackinac State Historic Parks
Some exciting new discoveries were uncovered in recent weeks during an archeological dig at Colonial Michilimackinac, an 18th-century fort and fur trading village in Mackinac City.
This buckle fragment is probably from a shoe. The long side is 1.75” long. Photo credit Mackinac State Historic Parks
Some exciting new discoveries were uncovered in recent weeks during an archeological dig at Colonial Michilimackinac, an 18th-century fort and fur trading village in Mackinac City.
Folded barrel band in front of remnant of a cellar wall post Photo credit Mackinac State Historic Parks
Some exciting new discoveries were uncovered in recent weeks during an archeological dig at Colonial Michilimackinac, an 18th-century fort and fur trading village in Mackinac City.
One-ounce brass weight with GR initials under a crown Photo credit Mackinac State Historic Parks
Some exciting new discoveries were uncovered in recent weeks during an archeological dig at Colonial Michilimackinac, an 18th-century fort and fur trading village in Mackinac City.
Photo credit Mackinac State Historic Parks
Some exciting new discoveries were uncovered in recent weeks during an archeological dig at Colonial Michilimackinac, an 18th-century fort and fur trading village in Mackinac City.
The dark crescent-shaped area is the cellar. The rocky sand is the beach underlying the fort. Photo credit Mackinac State Historic Parks
Some exciting new discoveries were uncovered in recent weeks during an archeological dig at Colonial Michilimackinac, an 18th-century fort and fur trading village in Mackinac City.
Finial from the buttplate of a French trade gun Photo credit Mackinac State Historic Parks
Some exciting new discoveries were uncovered in recent weeks during an archeological dig at Colonial Michilimackinac, an 18th-century fort and fur trading village in Mackinac City.
"This sleeve button would have functioned much like a cufflink today," officials said. Photo credit Mackinac State Historic Parks

The site's southeast cellar is also giving up artifacts, including a one-ounce brass weight from a balance-type scale. Experts identified a "GR" stamp under a crown which signifies King George.

"Two possible posts from the east wall of the cellar have been exposed," the parks system said. "A folded iron barrel band was found adjacent to one of the posts."

In late July, the team recovered a second brass cup stamped with a fleur-de-lis believed to be from a set of nesting apothecary weights. It was found in the central cellar where a French lead seal was also uncovered.

This the 64th archaeological field season at Michilimackinac. Three new squares were opened for excavation back in May -- workers are only halfway through the 2022 digging season.

For the latest details and updates about the dig, please visit the Mackinac State Historic Parks website and Facebook page.

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