(Posted September 2, 2014)

Archaeologist Jonathan Burns adjusts the contents of a display case in Beeghly Library.
Archaeologist Jonathan Burns adjusts the contents of a display case in Beeghly Library.

HUNTINGDON, Pa. -- Archaeological treasures from colonial-era Fort Lyttelton, one of a string of fortifications stretching from Carlisle, Pa to Pittsburgh during the French and Indian War, will be on display throughout September and October in Beeghly Library on the Juniata College campus.

Many of the artifacts were discovered by students in Juniata's Archaeological Survey Methods course, which was held this summer in July at the site of Fort Lyttelton (now referred to as Fort Littleton on contemporary maps), which is at the southern tip of Huntingdon County near the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

There will be a special tour and talk by Jonathan Burns, archaeologist and owner of AXIS Research, who teaches the Juniata course, at 5 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 4, in the library. Andy Dudash, head reference librarian at Beeghly Library, will collaborate with Burns on the talk and tour.

"Pennsylvania was ground zero for the collision of France and Great Britain as these two great nations battled for possession of North America," Burns says.

The display will include artifacts recovered by Burns and his students, as well as some items including a barrel remnant of a swivel cannon recovered in the back yard of the farmhouse located near the original site of the fort.

"Pennsylvania was ground zero for the collision of France and Great Britain as these two great nations battled for possession of North America."

Jonathan Burns, lecturer in geography and an archaeologist

Other artifacts include a Spanish real, a silver coin that dates to 1755, and various gun parts from Brown Bess muskets, and lead balls (or bullets).

Fort Lyttelton was one of a handful of colonial forts (the others were Fort Juniata Crossing, Fort Bedford, Fort Ligonier) strung along the north boundary of Pennsylvania from the British base in Carlisle, Pa. that supplied and supported the 1758 British Army expedition led by General John Forbes as he marched toward the French-held Fort Duquesne on the site of Point Park in modern-day Pittsburgh.

Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.