The archaeology of Fort Churchill

Abstract

While functions have been identified for many of the historic buildings at the Civil War-era post of Fort Churchill in Nevada, one structure remained unidentified until 1998. Using traditional archaeological, documentary and graphical research, archaeologists in 1997 and 1998 positively identified this structure as Fort Churchill's historic post bakery. Archaeological excavation in 1997 revealed a structure with architectural features that were unique to Fort Churchill. The archaeological research was supplemented in 1998 with documentary and graphical research. Taken together, the combined data pointed to the historic function of the structure, and provided glimpses into everyday life at the fort.