Members of the general public had a unique opportunity last weekend to get a glimpse at what life was like inside the first dorm on campus - a glimpse that, until recently, was buried underground.
For the past five weeks, MSU students and archaeologists have been excavating the site of Dormitory #1, nicknamed Saints' Rest by its residents. The building was destroyed by fire in 1876.
During the weekend, the Department of Anthropology opened the dig site to the public.
The excavators found the northeast foundation of the dorm. Although much of the basement flooring was sand, a room with a cobblestone floor has led researchers to believe it was a washroom.
In one corner of the site, the digging uncovered what appears to be a storage room where the remains of barrels are lined against a wall.
South of the dig, ground-penetrating radar has revealed what could be a loading dock or an entrance, said anthropology Professor Ken Lewis, who is coordinating the excavation along with assistant Professor Jodie O'Gorman.
Artifacts ranging from pieces of toothbrushes and washbasins to stove doors and saw blades are giving researchers clues to how the residents lived.
About 250 people visited the site on Saturday, said Department of Anthropology Chairperson Lynne Goldstein.
The dig, the first of its kind on campus, technically ends Friday. But an exhibit of the findings, which Goldstein hopes will be ready within a year, will be prepared for the MSU Museum. Anthropology graduate student Heather Mustonen will continue to analyze artifacts in the fall, and students involved in the excavation have volunteered to assist her.
Project coordinators have an agreement with the MSU Physical Plant to refill the site once the digging concludes, Goldstein said.
"The trick is that (MSU) President (Lou Anna K.) Simon would like to have some parts of the excavation left open if possible," she said.
Goldstein said she would be meeting with engineers from the Physical Plant today to determine if it would be possible to leave several squares of the excavation open during the first few football weekends.
The area could not remain excavated indefinitely, she said, but she hoped to have a permanent marker placed at the site.
"We're really pleased with the results," Goldstein said. "It doesn't mean that we're going to be digging on campus every year."
She said it opened the door to propose more excavation at the site, if researchers showed interest in exploring possible outbuildings suggested by ground penetrating radar.
"There are some (unknown) areas, but we can't really say if they were outbuildings," Lewis said.
Many students working on the site said the project was worth it.
"I wish it was going on for another five weeks," said Jessica Seiler, a 2005 graduate.
O'Gorman said she was impressed with the effort of the undergraduate students.
"They're all very engaged in what they're doing," she said.
History senior Terry Brock said he grew close with other students during the project.
"We're working in a five-by-five foot space with each other for 40 hours a week, so you don't really have a choice," he said.
