Watch Time Lapse: Historic Ship Excavated In Alexandria

ALEXANDRIA—This week, archaeologists have removed the first of the 18th century ships discovered at the Robinson Landing site.

Local real estate developer EYA, LLC, whose affiliates are constructing a residential community at the site, contracted Thunderbird Archeology to oversee the removal in coordination with the City of Alexandria and the Maryland Archaeological Conservation Lab. Archaeologists photographed, documented and removed the timbers, measuring around 43 feet in length, at the site earlier this week.

EYA has donated the ship to the City of Alexandria, allowing archeologists and other experts to study and document details of its construction and work to identify the date of the wood.

The Robinson Landing project is on schedule to deliver the first townhouses in the fall. The project entails 26 townhouses, 70 condominiums, retail, a restaurant on the Potomac River waterfront and renovated pier with floating docks, public seating, an outdoor lounge and entertainment. The condos are set to open in winter 2019-2020.

"This marks another milestone as we move toward the completion of the archaeological work at the site and stay on pace with construction of the new townhomes and condo buildings," said Evan Goldman, EYA LLC Vice President of Acquisition and Development, in a statement. "We’ve uncovered some significant finds that tell the story of how the early residents of Alexandria built the waterfront and conducted commerce."

The ship was one of three uncovered earlier this year at the construction site. Two had been discovered in March and a third in April. All are likely from the 1700s or early 1800s. This ship in particular is believed to have sailed for decades before it was dragged to the Duke Street side of the now-Robinson Landing site before 1798.

The ship remains were found across from the Hotel Indigo site where archaeologists discovered a historic warehouse and ship in late 2015. This ship is undergoing conservation at Texas A&M University's Conservation Research Laboratory. Conservation will take a few years before the ship returns to Alexandria to be put on exhibit. (For more information on this and other neighborhood stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app; download the free Patch Android app here.)

The potential for discovering more historic artifacts grows along as development continues along Alexandria's waterfront. Archaeologists are required to be on site to monitor for historic features. These discoveries provide additional insight into wharves and piers, maritime vessels, early industries, and commercial and domestic activities.

Watch a time lapse of the excavation below.

Image and video courtesy EYA, LLC