Archaeologists made a truly amazing discovery while doing some work at the historic Virginia home of the greatest president in American history, George Washington, the Daily Caller revealed on Monday. Without a doubt, Washington is probably the most awe-inspiring leader from not just our own country’s past, but the entire world’s. How many men throughout time have ever voluntarily gave up power when they could have ruled as a king? Incredible.
And if you read all of the first hand sources of encounters with our first president, you come away with a fairly detailed portrait of his personal character, and let’s just say he set a pretty high bar for the rest of us. Can you tell this man is one of my heroes?
So what was the find? Two bottles of cherries.
The two perfectly intact European-manufactured bottles were uncovered in the cellar of Washington’s Mount Vernon home, according to a statement from the Mount Vernon estate. The bottles are made of dark green glass and were upright, sealed and containing liquid when archaeologists found them under a brick floor laid in the 1770s, since before the war for America’s independence.
The discovery was made as part of a privately-funded $40 million restoration project, the estate said.
“We have made a number of useful discoveries including this blockbuster find of two fully intact glass bottles containing liquid that have not been seen since before the war for American independence,” Mount Vernon President and CEO Doug Bradburn went on to say in the statement.
“Cherries, including stems and pits, were preserved within the liquid contents, which still bore the characteristic scent of cherry blossoms familiar to residents of the region during the spring season,” the statement also said.
The rather large estate is still undergoing a series of additional renovations, which includes installing both new heating and air conditioning systems, along with a few updates to the masonry. With over a dozen historical outbuildings on the property, four different gardens, and the tomb of Washington’s family, archaeologists think there could be even more amazing items waiting to be discovered.
It’s super important that these discoveries are made and then preserved. History is critical in helping guide us down the path of the present so we can build a brighter future. Without respecting our roots and the men and women who cleared the way before us, we will be doomed to make the same mistakes they made as they sought to advance human civilization.
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People like George Washington, who are renowned for their high moral character, are worthy of study and emulation. The best way to get to know who historical figures of great significance truly were is to pour over their personal writings and the first-hand accounts of others they encountered in their lives. Looking at how they might have lived their lives, which is what artifacts like the two bottles of cherries help us to do, gives us the context for their thoughts, beliefs, and actions.
Here’s to hoping these folks find some really cool stuff in the future.