STANTON COUNTY, Neb. — A partnership between the Nebraska State Historical Society and the Department of Transportation has led to a fascinating archaeological dig at the historic Sharp Homestead site in Stanton County. This effort ensures that the expansion of U.S. Highway 275 proceeds without disturbing the area's rich past.

As U.S. Highway 275 undergoes expansion from two to four lanes near Nebraska Highway 15, state archaeologists have been racing against the clock at the Sharp Homestead, built in the 1800s. Their mission: to unearth artifacts that provide a glimpse into life during that era.

"We've discovered numerous brick fragments, including both regular bricks and hollow fire bricks from structures once located on the site," said Nebraska State Historical Society Archeologist Nolan Johnson. "We've also found nails, intriguing marbles, animal bones that offer clues about their diet, and a wealth of glass shards from bottles and windows."

Since the dig began in April, the Historical Society has been working tirelessly to manage the immense volume of artifacts. "There are thousands of artifacts to process," Johnson explained. "For example, we're weighing all the brick fragments to determine their quantity and origin, but we won't be keeping the non-essential pieces. The remaining artifacts will be preserved, cleaned, counted, weighed, and analyzed to determine their dates, uses, and any other insights we can glean."

The Nebraska State Historical Society is also developing plans to share the captivating history of the Sharp Homestead and the uncovered artifacts with the public. "Everything will be meticulously labeled and stored in plastic bags and boxes," Johnson noted. "This will allow researchers to easily locate specific items from the homestead. All artifacts will remain at the Nebraska State Historical Society building, where our museum is currently developing exhibits to showcase these discoveries to the public."