Digging up the Real Dirt of the Past

Alexandria Archaeology staff and volunteers are actively involved in archaeological investigation of Alexandria as a city-site and in studying Alexandria society within the broader contexts of anthropology, social history and material culture. While most of our excavations are conducted in advance of construction, research designs guide our selection of sites. Research has focused on the central business district, free African American neighborhoods, the waterfront, Alexandria as an occupied town during the Civil War, Alexandria potters and other craftsmen, social stratification and urban development.

• Alexandria" Archaeology Publications:
  A mail order catalogue of publications resulting from research by staff, students, volunteers and consultants, with topics ranging from scholarly to public interests.
• Bibliography:
  Numerous articles on archaeology in Alexandria which are published in professional books and journals.
• Contract Archaeology Reports:
  Site reports produced by contract archaeology firms working in Alexandria.
• Discovering the Decades:
  Learn about 250 years of Alexandria history, from the ground up, decade by decade.
• Alexandria Artifacts:
  Stories from the Past, reprinted from the Alexandria Gazette.
• Archaeological Preservation in Action:
  A synopsis of some of the many excavated sites.
• Themes from the Past:
  These special thematic studies provide fascinating glimpses into Alexandria's history.

Resources for Research at Alexandria Archaeology

The museum’s resources are used extensively by students, professional archaeologists, and community members. The library and archives are available by appointment, during office hours.

The Library:

The 400 volume library contains books on artifacts, Alexandria history, and historical archaeology, as well as urban history, museum studies, conservation, and world archaeology. The library subscribes to several magazines and journals, including Archaeology Magazine, Historical Archaeology and the Journal of Early Southern Decorative Arts. The library also has a collection of archaeological site reports from other cities. Books may not be borrowed, but may be read during office hours, by appointment.

The Archives:

The Alexandria Archaeology archives consist of the supporting documentation for the collection, including field records, maps, photographs, artifact catalogues, artifact analyses, videotapes and oral history tapes, historical research, and site summaries and reports. Site files contain records of all properties in Alexandria which have been excavated or which have been the subject of archaeological monitoring or review. Other resources include indexed 19th century tax and census records; an "Archaeological Atlas" which combines a street directory with related maps of historical and archaeological resources; and copies of early Alexandria maps including detailed insurance maps from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These resources may be used with staff assistance, by appointment.

Conducting Research on Historic Houses and Families

To research your historic Alexandria home or family, you may want to begin at the Lloyd House Library or at the Alexandria Courthouse. Read Historic House Sleuthing in Alexandria, Virginia before you start your search.