Preserved Fruit Discovery at Mount Vernon

What time period does the origin of the bottles containing the preserved cherries date back to?

What was the likely reason the bottles were buried before 1776?

Which aspect of the preserved cherries are researchers planning to investigate?

What preliminary findings were reported about the cherries' variety?

Who probably stored and preserved the bottles containing the cherries?

What was the main purpose of the excavation at George Washington's Mount Vernon home?

How many glass bottles were discovered during the excavation?

Which types of fruit were likely found in the preserved bottles?

When did the excavation take place?

What sentiment was expressed by principal archaeologist Jason Boroughs regarding the discovery?

Preserved Fruit Discovery at Mount Vernon

Archaeologists uncovered 35 glass bottles dating back to the 18th century at George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate.
29 bottles held perfectly preserved cherries and berries, likely gooseberries or currants.
The bottles were discovered during the excavation of six storage pits in the cellar.
The discovery is part of a $40 million revitalization project aimed at preserving Mount Vernon.
The bottles were manufactured in England in the mid-1700s and likely buried under clay before 1776.
The preservation of the fruit suggests it was forgotten after George Washington left Mount Vernon in 1775.
The preserved cherries were sent to the US Department of Agriculture for analysis.
Preliminary reports indicate the cherries were a tart variety.
The research team plans to analyze the DNA of the preserved cherries.
They will compare the DNA to existing cherry varieties to determine the exact species consumed by the Washingtons.
The researchers hope to gain insights into climate change in Virginia.
The team will investigate the possibility of germinating the preserved cherry seeds.
A resulting tree would serve as a living artifact of American history.

Significance of the Discovery

The bottles and their contents offer insights into the daily lives, culinary practices, and social dynamics of the Washingtons and those around them.
The fruit was likely stored by enslaved members of the community for the Washington family.

Archaeologists at George Washington's Mount Vernon estate uncovered 35 glass bottles containing preserved cherries and berries from the 18th century. This significant find, part of a major revitalization project, reveals insights into food preservation practices of the past and the historical context surrounding the estate after Washington's departure in 1775.