Archaeologists Unearth Signs Of Raleigh's Early History

The corner of Person and Martin streets was thought to be the backyard of a Civil War-era home, but archaeologists believe something else was there, and not the typical structure they expected to find.

"We had thought it might be a corral of some sort, and when I sketched it out this morning, it was very clear it was not a corral," says archaeologist Patrick Garrow.

Pink flags show where posts once stood in the ground. The layout of the posts indicates a residential building.

"It's organized into a series of bays which would have corresponded to rooms or to living spaces," Garrow says.

So far, no pictures or historic records have been found to indicate what type of structure was there, but archaeologists believe it may have been slaves' quarters or Civil War barracks.

A team of archaeologists has been digging for answers in the holes where the posts once stood. They sifted through the dirt and found 19th century artifacts, such as nails, glass and pieces of china.

Computers will eventually map the blueprint of a building and provide a glimpse of life in Raleigh more than 150 years ago.

The dig is taking place before the city builds a new school on the site. The work should be completed by the end of next week.