The Archaeology of the Barber Wheatfield

Group photo of Volunteers from AVAR and NARP Archeologists working at the Barber Wheatfield project in 2019.

The Archaeology of the Barber Wheatfield, Saratoga National Historical Park, Stillwater, NY

Northeast Archaeological Resources Program, National Park Service 2019-2021

Saratoga National Historical Park in Stillwater, NY is the location of two of the most significant battles of the Revolutionary War waged in September and October of 1777. The Barber Wheatfield, was the location for the beginning of the second battle at Saratoga (colloquially known as the Battle for Bemis Heights) on October 7, 1777. This battle ultimately led to the defeat of the British Army and the beginning of the end of British occupation in the colonies.

In May and June of 2019, a major project was begun at the supposed site of the battle. This project involved data gathering of the battlefield by Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), various geophysical instruments, and metal detectors. The project concentrated study on the eastern half of the suspected battlefield, with the western half proposed for 2021 (delayed a year due to COVID). This project had several goals in mind:

1) To conclusively demonstrate that this was indeed the spot where the Battle of Bemis Heights had begun.

2) To conduct a metal detection study on the Barber Wheatfield to see if enough ballistics remained from the battle to reconstruct troop alignments and troop movements on the field of battle.

3) To conduct a UAS and geophysical assessment of the Barber Wheatfield to identify additional features on the landscape and to assess how the landscape changed through time.

To briefly summarize the results, we were in fact able to locate the spot where the battle had begun, collect enough ballistics from the battle to assess what had happened during the battle, and collect enough data on the battlefield to provide areas for examination for years to come.

The stars just seemed to align for this project as we began partnering with different groups to accomplish the ambitious goals. We knew that we had partnered with a great group when we began working with AVAR (American Veterans Archaeological Recovery) and the American Battlefield Trust. We soon learned that while one partnership is great, two or more are better. Additional partnerships were made with the ARE-Airshark, Advanced Metal Detecting for the Archaeologist (AMDA), the Midwest Archaeological Center (MWAC), and the Northeast Museum Services Center (NMSC). The work of all of these partners made the project possible. We hope to export this partnership model to other parks in NPS as we get ready to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and the ensuing Revolutionary War. In 2019 we examined the eastern wheatfield. Later in 2021, we hope to examine the western wheatfield and conduct formal excavations in the location of the suspected “Weisser House”. Individuals wanting additional information can contact [e-mail], [e-mail], or [e-mail]