18th Century Cow Premolar Tooth 057

In 2016, we stumbled upon the first of two privies under our property containing items dating from around the Revolutionary War, and we were suddenly thrown into the world of ceramic archaeology (you can find out more about our adventures by listening to our podcast The Boghouse). Now our house is filled to the brim with thousands of artifacts, including ceramics, glass, metal, ordnance, and of course, animal bones.

The bones in our privies came from animals the residents ate (evidenced by knife marks on some bones), or animals that died on or around the property, such as horses and cats, and a few wild animals such as foxes. With nothing like modern trash collection existent in the 18th century, often the most efficient and sanitary way to dispose of animal remains was to drop them into the household privy.

This tooth was dug from our South Privy in 2019/2020. Other artifacts in the privy such as ceramics and glass can be accurately dated, and was made in the mid to late 1700s, so we can assume that the bones found in the use layer were also from this period. This tooth has been gently cleaned and peroxide-bleached, but the plaque originally on the tooth has been left intact as much as possible.

Each tooth comes in a metal tin with velvet lining, and includes a letter of authenticity made with love in Philly.

Funds raised from sales of privy teeth go towards the development of the Hannah Callowhill Stage, a 50-seat multi-disciplinary performing arts venue currently being built on the property.