Archaeological Dig Draws Tourists

ST. AUGUSTINE, FL -- An archaeological dig is under way in the Plaza de la Constitucion after remains of a building dating back to the 1500s was discovered.

Many people consider the plaza, which dates back to the 1500s, to be the oldest European landmark in the United States.

City Archaeologist Carl Halbirt and his crew were called to study portions of the plaza before underground electrical lines were installed. But Halbirt, his staff and volunteers discovered what they believe are the remains of a public building from the late 1500s or early 1600s. That's old, considering the city was founded in 1565.

With tempered excitement in Tuesday, Halbirt said, "It could be the earliest archeological structure of a public activity found in St. Augustine."

Halbirt said the building may have been a warehouse/market or possibly a council building. Tourists appear to be just as intrigued.

Bob and Sue Francus, visiting St. Augustine from Port Charlotte, couldn't help but notice the unloading of small buckets, the scraping of tools, the shaking of screens and the big holes in the ground.

"I've never seen anything like this before!" said Bob Francus Tuesday.

A crowd gathered around the holes in the ground, snapped photographs, and started to ask questions.

Halbirt was thrilled to spend some time explaining the discovery and the goal. He pointed out the wall foundation, the post holes, and the discoloration of soil. He also explained the significance of the pottery found during the dig and showed off some pottery shards.

European and Native American pieces of pottery helped the archaeological team determine the date of the discovery.

All of it had been buried under 3 feet of dirt for the last 400 years. "Oohs" and "aahs" came from the crowd and passers-by.

And while the tour buses and sidewalk shops are part of the tourist experience in St. Augustine, the visitors who stopped at the dig may have stumbled onto a dirty little secret.

"Part of St. Augustine's history is what's buried in the ground," Halbirt explained, "and to be able to see that being unearthed presents a unique opportunity."

Francus agreed. "It's just simply amazing. I thought they were doing some utility work for an underground pipe or something. And here it is, artifacts!"

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