Archaeologists Make Remarkable Discovery of 300-Year-Old Cherries Preserved in Glass Bottles at George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate
In a groundbreaking find, archaeologists at George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate in Virginia recently unearthed two glass bottles filled with a mysterious liquid that has miraculously survived the past three centuries. The discovery was made by archaeologist Nick Beard during a revitalization project at the historic mansion.
The bottles, believed to have been buried between 1758 and 1776, were originally used to refrigerate cherries. Experts were astonished by the pristine condition of the bottles and the fact that the liquid inside had remained intact for so long.
Mount Vernon principal archaeologist Jason Boroughs explained that storing produce in underground bottles was a common practice in the 18th century to protect it from the sweltering Virginia heat. The find not only sheds light on historical food preservation methods but also has the potential to reveal new insights into the lives of enslaved individuals on the plantation.
The orange liquid from the bottles has been carefully transferred to new containers for examination. Historians and researchers are eager to analyze the contents and learn more about this rare and valuable discovery.
Curator Lily Carhart expressed her excitement over the find, calling it a “once-in-a-lifetime sort of thing.” The significance of finding food remains in centuries-old bottles cannot be overstated, making this discovery truly extraordinary.
This remarkable find not only adds to the rich history of Mount Vernon but also highlights the importance of preserving and studying artifacts from the past. Stay tuned for more updates on this fascinating archaeological discovery.
