18th Century Glass Bottle Discovery

18th-Century Glass Bottle Discovery at Mount Vernon

• Archaeologists unearthed 35 glass bottles at George Washington's Mount Vernon home, dating back to the mid-1700s.
• 29 bottles contained preserved cherries and berries (likely gooseberries or currants).
• The discovery was made during a $40 million revitalization project excavating six storage pits in the cellar.

Preservation and Origin

• The bottles were likely made in England.
• The bottles were buried under clay before 1776.
• It's believed the bottles were forgotten after Washington left for the Continental Army in 1775.

Significance and Analysis

• The preserved fruit provides a unique glimpse into 18th-century daily life and culinary practices.
• The artifacts showcase the involvement of enslaved individuals in picking, packaging, and storing the fruits.
• The bottles and contents are tangible connections to past lives.
• Preserved cherries were sent to USDA scientists for analysis.
• Initial analysis suggests the cherries were a tart variety, potentially aiding preservation.
• Further research includes extracting DNA from the cherries to identify specific species.
• Scientists aim to compare the DNA with modern varieties to understand historical climate changes.
• Attempts to germinate preserved cherry seeds are planned to create living historical artifacts.