The Hidden History Buried in My Backyard
July 30, 2024
Source: Reddit
Have you ever while planting new seeds in your garden or placing a bird bath, come across something that you were not looking for? This is something that can be true for many of us – discovering history that is literally near our doorstep. This happened to me when we were clearing the site for our garden and I stumbled upon a strange hole in the rear part of our yard, which set me on a path through history that I would like to describe.
I recall the tales that my grandmother had to tell about the old farm she was bred up on. Recalling the stories she told me about the old days when there were no mod cons, wells were hand-dug and water was captured in barrels came flooding back to me as I stood over this newly discovered pit. The soil was sandy and the blocks constructed in a very ingenious manner what I could associate with the past generations. It was a view at a period in history where each and every building has a function to fulfill, whether it was a gateway or a bakery.
The pit has an estimated size of 36 inches by 72 inches and has five courses of block with the first course located 12 inches below grade. It had been covered by two precast, three inch thick concrete slabs wired with chicken wire. First, we thought that it could have been an old outhouse pit, yet the size and construction of the hole did not point to that. Perhaps it could have been a well or a cistern or something else?
In homes that are more than two hundred years old especially the ones that I live in, internal plumbing may have been installed later. It is also important to note that before plumbers, people used to get their water from wells and cisterns. A cistern could be a good suggestion for this pit for instance. These storage tanks were used to collect rainwater which was a precious commodity used in the daily life especially in areas where water from underground sources was either hard to get or was polluted. It is also possible that the blocks provided with openings could have released water drop by drop to the household use.
Cisterns and wells were not only the necessary installations in the household; they were the life lines for the households. When my home was first built in the early 1900’s, and my home received indoor plumbing, these water systems were a great example of the resourcefulness and determination of the people of this home. They depict general trends in the society, for instance, the change from the rural areas to the urban areas and the integration of modern comforts. It makes one recall the time when people had to rely on themselves and their wisdom in order to survive, which is a quality that is valued and often desired in the present day society.
While we might never know the exact purpose of this pit without more investigation, several possibilities stand out while we might never know the exact purpose of this pit without more investigation, several possibilities stand out:
- Cistern or Water Storage Tank: Water harvesting for instance collecting and storing rain water.
- Septic Tank: Waste disposal solution prior to the development of hygienic systems of waste disposal such as the modern plumbing.
- Root Cellar or Storage Pit: Storing food especially in the extreme weather conditions.
- Dry Well: Measuring and diverting the water that flows from areas of rain to avoid water accumulation and flooding.
- Sump Pit: Aging Water Pumped out of the house and collected to be pumped away.
A Positive Perspective
Such history does not just present the case of solving a puzzle; it is about the appreciation of the past and the admiration of the creativity that was once used. It is the appreciation for the work that is put into creating a home as well as the creation of a sustainable environment. When I look at this pit, I do not view it as simply an indentation in the ground; instead, I see a part of my home’s history, of the family who constructed this house and the family who resided in it before me.
Ponder for a moment, you are gardening and what do you come across but roots and soil or a piece of history. It is similar to opening a time capsule that represents a history of a company that is innovative as well as persistent. This was the case for me a few weeks ago, and it led me on a rather interesting trip down memory lane.
Such findings are really an eye opener because it tells us that we do not only live in houses, but we live in historical and cultural assets. They are tales of people who once walked, laughed, cried, and slept within the structure’s walls. Hence, the next time a stranger turns up in your compound or you come across an unusual object in your compound, do not be quick to scare it away or throw it away, rather, spare some time to reflect on their historical background and what they bring with them in terms of history and connection with the past. It could lead to who knows what?