Re: Privy excavation and research
 
Robert Genheimer of the Cincinnati Museum of Natural History and R.
Genheimer Archaeological Services has excavated a number of privies in
the mid-Ohio Valley dating from mid-19th century to circa 1900.  I worked
on some with him in the mid-1980s but would not currently recommend the
methods we used then.  We were pretty young and stupid then about things
like safety and respirators (these privies were wet and fairly nasty).
With today's OSHA standards, excavating a deep privy is a much more
involved logistical problem.
 
Confined space training from OSHA is probably a good idea.  An easier way
of course is to use mechanical equipment to remove upper levels as they
are excavated.  It makes a BIG hole in the ground, but is much safer than
climbing down a ladder into a narrow shaft lined with unstable materials.
 
I am sure Bob would be happy to discuss excavation and research
methodology.  I am not sure if he is on-line, but he can be reached at
the Museum's Collection Center in Cincinnati at: (513) 621-3890.  Some
researchers in Kentucky may also have input on privies dug in Louisville
and Lexington; are any of you out there?
 
Jeannine Kreinbrink
NES, Inc.
Cincinnati, Ohio