Eastern State Penitentiary archaeological investigations

Archaeological investigations at Eastern State Penitentiary have documented construction phases and later modifications of the 1829 prison, exposing structural foundations and landscape features. Excavations and monitoring recovered artifacts including ceramic fragments, metal buttons, and other material culture associated with 19th- and early 20th-century inmate and staff activity. The archaeological record has been used to inform restoration work and on-site interpretation at the National Historic Landmark.