149 Year Old Map Found in a Basement Led Us to an Unbelievable Find Buried in the Middle of a Woods

Tom Askjem excavates a privy in the middle of a woods near the corner of 10th and Walnut in Yankton, South Dakota.

[@TaneKarnes]

Thanks for showing more artifacts repaired and cleaned at the end. 😃

[@samueljames9342]

Since its a fairly long video i came here to maybe skip through it for the highlights, boy was i wrong. I found myself watching every minute of it. Great video.

[@TomAskjem.]

Thanks for watching!

[@rickdaugherty3208]

Could that ivory long piece be part of the fountain pen.

[@deloradeabel8487]

WOW what a dig,I remember the days when your dad & other family members would sit around & watch you dig,Your the only channel that digs territory bottles,which are so historical!From the beginning you have always been my favorite & always will!Great dig guys!

[@patrickdevillier530]

I 'deeply' appreciate the labor it took to get through those tree roots! Well worth the patience, thanks!

[@kapok7228]

One of your most interesting digs yet, Tom. Enjoyed every second.

[@chasetonga]

I love the larger, easier to read information.

[@cyprith]

I appreciate how you immediately know what most everything is. It makes the digs really satisfying!❤

[@tammyaskjem9871]

Excellent vid!! It’s amazing how you find these pits ! This pit was loaded with beautiful bottles !! Thanks for taking us on the dig with you!

[@tammyfreeman6802]

Thank you, Tom, for all that you do to bring us these videos. ❤

[@TomAskjem.]

Thanks for watching!

[@nickt7658]

Tom .. I'm so glad your back bud. Go n rock it!!

[@m.c.master4622]

Kudos to your new videographer, doing a great job.

[@rmil4531]

Fabulous dig, thank you.

[@Liz-sn1mm]

I have my grandma's diaries. Sometimes she mentions going to the doctor and getting "a bottle". Their house was built c. 1905, but the land had been the parade ground for the local militia in the early 1800s. My dad found some interesting buttons, a coin and a belt buckle with a metal detector. This was in sw Ontario, Canada. Wish we had thought of digging in the old back yard where they disposed of their garbage in the old days.

[@franceshurt3517]

Hi Tom, I don't think that tree is as happy as you are about your finds, I can almost hear it hurling abuse abuse at you for the discomfort you are giving it, some incredible finds particularly the green bottle and that beautiful lime juice bottle, cheers!!!👍👍👍💪

[@bwilliams463]

Yeah, those were big LIVE roots; I hope he didn't hurt it too much. If I read the bark right, though, that's a hedge tree (Bodark, Osage Orange), and they're tough as pig iron.

[@fiorenzaattanasio4796]

Thank you Tom…BEST CHANNEL ON KZbin. LOTS OF GREAT FINDS. WOW

[@TomAskjem.]

Thanks for watching!

[@kathyastrom1315]

1880s South Dakota! Just a few weeks ago, I found out that one of my 4th great-grandfathers couldn’t settle down after the Civil War and went on years-long wanders away from his wife and kids who were in upstate NY. He spent most of the 1880s in Deadwood and ended up dying in 1889 at the Old Soldiers Home in Milwaukee, which was the nearest such home to Deadwood.

[@EagleArrow]

A horrible war. If only slavery could have been ended by the pen. Both sides were pretty brutal.

[@marietteestabrook4098]

It sounds like he had a good case of PTSD. So sad no one knew what to do to help back then.

[@marietteestabrook4098]

Where does one go to buy some of the stuff you find?

[@kathyastrom1315]

@@marietteestabrook4098 Can you clarify what you are looking for?

[@marietteestabrook4098]

@@kathyastrom1315 I’m interested in the prescription bottles and a sasparilla bottle from Lowell, MA.

[@michelledean6157]

So cool to find both halves of that plate! These digs are such a great way to see a window to our past! Thanks for keeping the videos coming!

[@Gaming.with.Benjamin]

You have inspired me & my son to hunt for old bottles here in Maine!

[@nicklabelle9573]

Amazing dig Tom!! Great work to you and your team on saving this history!

[@larisarogers2649]

Another great adventure into history, thank you for being so informative. Have an awesome week!

[@samcrane9817]

Tom you are the best bottle digger on you tube - keep it up I love the 1800 sites and get excited when you do and wish I could still get out to dig!

[@TomAskjem.]

Thanks for watching!

[@mt0115]

Just what I needed on a day too hot to be messing around outside, a terrific excavation. Thanks for that Tom. 😎🍺☮️🇨🇦

[@40shellyfish]

Epic dig...love it🥰best in the biz!!

[@AnnoyedHorseShoe-hf1up]

I'm having a great time seeing you do this! Wish I was young enough to do that. How fun!

[@twindiggersminnesotapamandpat]

Another incredible dig retrieving history. You make your digs magical. Your are so knowledgeable, organized and a pleasure to learn from.👍👏😀

[@TomAskjem.]

Thank you!

[@solanisomeni]

I love your new channel Tom! I loved watching you on the other channel too, but you seem so much more relaxed now. And also seem to be searching for and finding older sites. Love it! I wish I could do what you do, but I am fairly certain that I'd have a heart attack before getting 2 ft. down into the dirt... 😳😱😂 I'd have to have someone do the hard digging for me, until it would reach down to where the "finds" are and I'd take over. 😉 There are times that one does wish one was at least 30 yrs. younger. Weird reason for why, but hey! We've all got our quirks and stuff we'd like to do, but realize to late that, damn, why didn't I do that sooner!! 😁

[@TomAskjem.]

It’s definitely better working at my own pace!

[@Beanieweenieable]

Thank you Tom for your intelligent thoughtful commentary. Watching you is easy, I never cringe with your narrative, unlike other fellows digging (Parlor diggers etc.) channels who seem only to repeat “Dude, Dude, dude…” like some lost episode of Bill and Ted’s least amazing adventure. Refreshing to hear an interesting dialogue. Thanks

[@TomAskjem.]

Thanks for watching!

[@MarciaShackelford-st5bt]

Great dig! Not just your run of the mill liquor bottles or extract bottles. Unique finds! Keep the videos coming!

[@janiesippel225]

Wow! That was a fun dig! Lots of interesting artifacts, the blue plate is really cool. Thanks for posting all your hard work.

[@TomAskjem.]

Thanks for watching!

[@ShawnBoese]

I love that you dig here in Yankton! The history you reveal is awesome. Look up Ben Hanton when you are here. He said he has some areas but also he knows a lot of people here in Yankton and surrounding areas.

[@Justanoldwoman9748]

Very good to watch you again 😊 I missed the excitement when you find an old piece

[@papeep2694]

What a dig! So much great stuff.

[@VolcanoTimeLapse]

Way to find the tough one!! Outstanding Tom!!

[@atuuschaaw]

Absolutely remarkable treasure pit! ♥

[@samsager1]

Such an old pit!! Amazing work Tom!!

[@susanblackley7065]

Wow, that was a good dig! Love the after pieces that you cleaned up, also.

[@daviddarrall9384]

Hard work, but we'll done Tom. Another fascinating video, thanks a bundle 😊 UK.

[@Christine-fg2re]

Awesome content. Glad I found your new channel.

[@JustineGuzowski]

This pit had some beautiful color in it. I hope you have a museum or your finds. Thanks for taking us along.

[@Elysium-f3n]

"This pit is loaded!" Music to our ears indeed.

[@patriciagable513]

Great dig Tom! Thanks for taking us along.

[@Ragamuffin777]

I’m so glad I found your channel again! I love this dig, especially that old mineral water bottle!

[@marylavine2632]

Beautiful blue dish pierced together. Nice dates. Thank you for a great dig.

[@RobertAllen-b2t]

Tom !!!!

[@davevollbrecht9489]

Another great video as always keep up the great work and continue finding them treasures

[@susanroller6905]

I really enjoy your channel Tom, great haul from nasty hardpack clay. Thank you for all your hard work digging historical treasures ! 😊

[@bouncerslabrealnature9143]

Keeping it fresh with Cornstarch. Thank you for sharing this great educational experience.I can clearly hear the stream I believe...I always find loads of goodies and bill payers by streams. 🤔🤫🤫

[@oculusangelicus8978]

The White ceramic bowl-like object with a hole in the bottom is most likely a candle wax catcher, for tall candles. the hole is where the candle would come up through and rest at the bottom of or at the thickest part of the candle to catch dripping wax. and prevent the was from fouling table cloths or rugs/carpet or anything else. most were transparent but those were made from glass and seldom were affordable to the lower classes and also rarely survive intact. especially if they were to find their way into an outhouse pit. But yeah, they are meant to catch drippy candle wax. Beeswax candles don't need them because the wax burns clean without soot and never runs, unless it is adulterated with something else, but pure beeswax does not drip, but they didn't last as long as the regular wax candles so beeswax candles were more of a luxury item, and were popular with the wealthy because they don't produce soot, like other candles do. So if there was a long evening party at a local wealthy man's manor, they would use regular candles because they lasted longer and they would use wax catchers to deal with the dripping wax. The glass wax catchers were used especially on chandeliers, for obvious reasons.

[@TomAskjem.]

I appreciate the info!

[@hbmjr]

That’s what I thought it was too! A had a pair of glass ones decades ago. They’re pretty useful.

[@sarahporter9541]

Oh wow! I'm an avid Rockhound..but also have lived at a mid 1800s log cabin in Northern MN..where there was a pit that was used for all the household garbage from the old days. Would be a Great dig site! Gives me the itch! 😅

[@jacquelinesaunders3041]

Brilliant result from this pit. You found some lovely items. 😊

[@CarolynStites]

Thanks for sharing! I love your channel!!!

[@anneheslin9923]

Amazing once again! Love your work so much and cant believe how many pits there are to dig. I live in the UK.👏👏👏👏👏🍍

[@deehooper1025]

Excellent work, loved the ongoing commentary & the inventory @ the end! Good work❣️🇨🇦

[@livelovedaydream]

Great video! Always amazing what you find

[@Christine-fg2re]

Thanks for a great video

[@dawnhaynes7784]

Love ur videos so much amazing finds 😊

[@MattJohns-z2i]

Being an irrigation digger, I used a sawzall or reciprocating saw to cut medium to larger size roots.

[@saturdaybasementrock3961]

It amazes me how you find these pits ,, thank you ,, Wow great show .. .. yep

[@audeancibure1528]

Thank you so much for taking us with you. Beautifull discoveries.. first time watching you but can’t wait to find more . Great explainations. Thank you😊

[@terrencebuller7676]

Great finds Tom, awesome dig. 👌 Stay safe.

[@wadehendryx7378]

Nice. This one was fun. They are all fun but the old ones are funner. "More fun". 😊

[@dirtclodmetaldetecting]

Neat to see all the old stuff!

[@sadielevens1144]

You find some of the best sites!❤❤❤❤❤

[@bluecorona868]

just fab ,thankyou .

[@luanncolistro879]

Awsome dig and I loved the display and information !

[@jont8707]

Do you still have that beautiful stove you re done and the old horse buggys your not only a history buff but also a great care taker of history you should put that old stuff on here the people would love it i came across a random video of a guy looking at it i love the old buggys 👍🏻

[@georgiaallen5966]

Amazing Massachusetts bottles found..watching from Brockton Massachusetts..Hood is a big dairy name here

[@AllisonWCone]

Awesome new dig! Really cool variety of finds too!

[@lougoocher6227]

What a great dig! I enjoyed this alot.

[@Phaota]

Sounds like the camera's tripod neck needs oiling. A lot of popping going on. Some superb finds this time around. Love the more ornate bottles. Rare bottles with broken necks would look good with the neck glass cut and smoothed. That iron bar would have been interesting to see brought up. It was from that time period, so the rod had to be from a carriage or wagon. The broken white stoneware item looks like a bread basket. Those plates are amazing. Loved seeing the cleaned up items at the end. More displays of this kind would be a very welcome feature. A slideshow of the wonderful finds all nice and shiny, or pieced together, again.

[@TomAskjem.]

I actually went out and got a new one haha

[@howarddenney5331]

Awesome dig!!! I love those older pits.

[@roybal1975]

Hello Tom, curious to know if you ever thought about getting the owners reaction. I bet you would get million viewed video's.👍

[@TomAskjem.]

That’s a good idea! Now that I’m working solo on the project, I’ll have the freedom to experiment with video styles a bit more so I may try that out

[@pathoodjoy]

Amazing variety of artifacts. Love the age.

[@karenwright9123]

Nice one. Interesting pieces!😁Hope you had a good July 4th!!

[@marykaystreasures]

Nice haul Thanks for sharing ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️👍👍🗝️⚒️🇺🇸🗝️

[@ToddTheJoker]

Another fun dig! thank you Tom!

[@DWilt1969]

Great video Tom. Some nice finds.👍

[@cherylwilliams2107]

Surprisingly no liquor flasks were in this pit!

[@AlienJT]

If that ivory piece has a hole in one end, I’d bet it’s a calligraphy stylus and would nibs that could be replaced when worn down from so much writing. 😀

[@fireflyidaho1]

I was thinking it was the handle to a shoe button hook

[@melindawhite5198]

Love watching your videos Tom

[@susandavis903]

For us history buffs very curious to see the old maps ( if permissible) and a mention of how you arrive at or choose a “spot” to begin probing. Also would love to hear your opinion about who may have lived there. (Very large family, children vs none, businesses, poor vs wealthy). Keep em coming!

[@TomAskjem.]

There are many that I’m not allowed to show as I was granted access under contract. A majority of others are found on the Library of Congress site and in county atlas’s. Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps are on the Library of Congress site

[@Davidrcobb]

DUDE! I just found one of those German mineral water jugs this past weekend. Crazy coincidence.

[@rogerb4971]

Great dig, Tom! I love your vids!

[@ivcmom75]

We need Merch!! I want a Tee Shirt with “This Pit is Loaded” ~ Tom Askjem

[@BrianCarnevaleB26]

You can tell this was more of a high end pit. Perhaps some wealthy people or well to do compared to some digs. Amazing job putting that plate back together. I collect old plates and have a coupla dozen. That would be a special find. I have to have them in a condition that is conducive to re-sale at a later period. Many Thanks & stay safe out there. I learn from you & now I can see a bottle and know important facts learned from your videos. A long time collector but I never dug anything up in my life.

[@JudithMcPheron-pb9lv]

Happy finds. In the mid to late 1950's we had a bachelor uncle who gave his nieces & nephews silver dollars for Christmas ever year. He passed in the mid 60's. Unfortunately my father either spent them on us children or put them in his collection. The good news is dad saved special coins in a collector book for each child when they turned 18. So I do own a siver dollar. Thanks Dad!

[@2kalubafak404]

Excellent presentation.

[@kennethstickney8819]

The Durkee's logo is a gauntlet. Durkee's Famous Sauce is still sold in supermarkets today. Get some ham slices, cream cheese and roll them up , cut in bites and dip in the sauce. Great appetizer for any occasion 😊

[@thecatsmeowfromny]

💕🙀💕 I love that Dr. Pierce MD bottle you found from Buffalo, NY - my hometown!

[@carolynnkaster9457]

I'm so glad I found you again. I wondered what happened to you. I thought maybe the heat was too much for you to dig during the hot days. Thank you.

[@maryjanerod7226]

I am so glad I found you again 🎉 of course I subscribed ❤ thank you,love your knowledge. Michigan.

[@TomAskjem.]

Thanks!

[@petertatham-cw2oq]

Hi, Tom the ivory piece you found that was very ornate it looked like a bobbin for lace making did it have any holes in it so you can thread any cotton through them very interesting great work thanks for taking us along. 👍

[@alanatolstad4824]

Why would anybody want to put bluing in a bottle that small? Can you imagine the trick of getting it poured from the larger bottle!---What explains the ability of that label that it survived the site?---Ew, that hunk of lime, with all that occurred to make it solid. We always had a can in the outhouse, but it gets sprinkled, not dumped. Ugh!---I correctly assumed that the mucilages were used for glue purposes, which could have been used for those bottles minus their labels. I just learned, tho', that the mucilages were also beneficial for upper respiratory conditions. Learned something new today!---Makes me wonder how many pits are in the woods around our 1888 Farmstead!

[@kennethstickney8819]

Perhaps it was immersed in the bluing and filled that way😊

[@alanatolstad4824]

@@kennethstickney8819 That makes sense, but WHY bother!

[@Looter8TreasureHunter]

Wow ,some awesome prescription bottles. So many amazing finds. Nice job Tom.

[@ClaudiaVogl-f6j]

Hoping you will be opening up a shop!!

[@ClaudiaVogl-f6j]

Nice finds!

[@ianmax5263]

Loved the pottery mineral water bottle. Fun pit, well except for the root cutting you had to do

[@VolcanoTimeLapse]

Wow!! Nice job.

[@leowondergem6002]

Tea pot lid probably 11:45. Some of those bottles with broken tops you could cut the top off, and drill drain hole for planters. You could also do pencil/pen holders.

[@TomAskjem.]

My video guy actually made a couple of cups today!

[@antonschulte9150]

As a metal detectorist who recently got interested in bottle digging - is it worth it to detect the tailings from a old outhouse pit, too? It often seems like small objects like coins may still be hiding in the mud while larger objects like bottles are easy to recognize.

[@TomAskjem.]

Could definitely be worthwhile. I don’t metal detectors but know a few who do.

[@willmarotta4525]

Cool, I think the stuff in this pit on the whole is the oldest I have seen you dig. I would like to see what you could dig in the old Spanish south and south west or on the north east coast.