Metal Excavation, 2023—2024

I spent a year gently excavating the Philippine Village Historical Site for objects related to the former site. I didn’t know what I’d expect to find—a souvenir, an artifact, a clue. I scanned the ground in every public place that was available to me. While most of what I unearthed was modern-day trash or what metal detectorists call clad (non-precious coins like pennies), I also did come across traces of the Philippine Village. Most of these things were related to the presence of the 700 Philippine soldiers who were encamped there. I also was lucky to find a couple Victorian buttons. Perhaps some of the rusted, unidentified pieces of metal I kept had once been attached to a building. On occasion, I was also able to help my neighbors search for items they had lost. I passed over the same grounds for many months until I felt like I found everything that I was able to. Most of what is left likely lies further than I am able to dig.

I am still in the process of photographing and identifying everything that I found. I kept a private written log of the specific locations where I located these. Videos of my process are archived on my Instagram page.

If you live in the Wydown Skinker neighborhood or Forest Park area and would like to give me permission to metal detect your property or need assistance finding a lost item, please contact me.