Friend and Carroll Gardens near-neighbor Katia Kelly, of Pardon Me for Asking, came across a fascinating bit of urban archaeology going on in the backyard of a townhouse on Pierrepont Street. Among the items excavated are the porcelain horse and female figurine in the photo.
Pardon Me for Asking: Just a few days ago, I had the great opportunity to check out an urban archeological dig in the back yard of a house on Pierrepont Street in Brooklyn Heights. Built in 1852, the townhouse will undergo renovation shortly, but in the meantime, the owner has allowed urban archeologists Scott Jordan and Jack Fortmeyer to dig far down into what was once the outhouse pit in the back yard. The two are well known in Brooklyn. Over decades, they have unearthed countless unique artifacts in these abandoned privies. Along with coal ash and refuse, common household objects were discarded and used as fill to close the pits when, in the 1860’s, Brooklyn started building its sewer infrastructure, making indoor plumbing possible.
Photo: Pardon Me for Asking
