The 2025 Michilimackinac archaeology field season ended on August 23. In many ways the second half of the season was like the first half. The original central cellar yielded a few more interesting artifacts including a pewter button fragment and a cache of glass seed beads. These beads, imported from Europe, were traded to the Anishnaabek who sewed them onto moccasins, bags and other leather items.
Several interesting artifacts were excavated from the north wall trench. An iron pintle from a hinge was found a level below the possible latch part found earlier in the season. A 3.5” long iron awl was found nearby. The most unusual artifact was a fragment of textile woven with metal-wrapped threads. It was preserved by the copper salts in the thread and would have been used as trim on a uniform or other fancy item of clothing.
For the archaeologists, one of the most exciting parts of the season was reaching the glacial beach below all cultural deposits in some areas along the north wall. Long-time followers of this project will remember that archaeologists have been working around the stump of a tree inadvertently planted in the north wall trench in the early twentieth century. Over the course of the summer, we exposed enough of the stump and roots that at the end of the season park operations staff were able to come in and carefully remove the remainder of the stump. Although some roots remain, this will make it much easier to excavate the rest of the north wall trench in this area next season!
