"There's a longstanding joke among archaeologists that you always make the big, exciting discovery on your last day in the field," said Blondino, 31. "We got really lucky. We started to see this thing in the first hole we opened."
That first hole led to what the archaeologists believe is the trench of the first log laid down to build Washington's dining cabin. In the cabin, Washington held his most important meetings with army officers over dinner, according to a letter written by Martha Washington.
The trench, about 25 feet long and sitting about four feet from the back of Washington's house, gives archaeologists and historians a better understanding of what the actual layout of Valley Forge looked like in the 18th century.
"We don't just dig up the artifacts, wash them and put them in storage," Blondino said. "We have to analyze these things, catalog them and then write a report. Individually they might not tell us that much, but collectively they can tell us a lot."
From Blondino's findings last July at the same site, historians know a well sat about six yards from Washington's house. Now, knowing where the cabin might have been allows archaeologists to diagram the surrounding area, Blondino said.
Aside from the dining cabin, archaeologists have found American Indian tools, like a hammer stone, 18th-century pieces of hand-painted pottery and 19th-century porcelain baby-doll figures with the help of volunteers.
Volunteers get to sift soil, looking for artifacts, all while getting a free history lesson, Boone, 28, said.
"We get a couple of new faces a week," she said. "But there are a lot of regulars who sign up for a day once a week."
One regular, Dan Kinnamon, 60, of Lansdale, said he loves anything from the 18th century. When he's not helping with the dig, Kinnamon is dressed as a soldier, giving tours around the park.
"I've always been interested in how things worked back then," he said. "This is like a treasure hunt."
