EXPLORING HARVARD'S PAST: GROUND-PENETRATING RADAR AND THE HISTORY OF THE USE OF HARVARD YARD

This paper uses historical maps, archives, archaeology, and geophysics to examine possible interpretations of Harvard's past. In the Spring Semester of 2007, a ground-penetrating radar (GPR) survey was conducted to study the subsurface environment of Harvard Yard in Cambridge, MA. Ground-penetrating radar is a near-surface geophysical technique that can be used in archaeology to map potential buried features in three-dimensions up to about two meters in depth. The original goals of this survey were to identify Harvard's Old College, constructed in 1638, and the Harvard Indian College, constructed ca. 1655, both of which were known to exist in this area. In general, the GPR data showed walls or foundations that were possible remains of the Indian College and other features within the yard. Based on these interpretations, a number of archaeological excavations were conducted by an undergraduate class as part of the Harvard Yard Archaeological Project. These excavations uncovered remains of roof tiles from the Indian College and lead print type from the first printing press in North America, which was housed in the Indian College between 1659 and 1692. In addition, numerous other features were identified that can be correlated with the more recent past uses of Harvard Yard, including shifting pedestrian paths and possible privies. By using a combination of GPR surveys, excavations, and a semester-long class on the analysis of the excavated materials, we are able to reconstruct aspects of student life in the 17th century and the history of the use and development of Harvard Yard through the present day.