Archaeologists in Florence are analyzing recently unearthed pieces of Alabama History.
The state-funded team of archaeologists is looking at newly discovered artifacts from the Pope’s Tavern site, including pieces of pottery, glass and nails, some of which pre-date Alabama’s statehood.
Pope’s Tavern was constructed in the 1830s. It served as a stagecoach stop and place of rest for tired travelers. Even President Andrew Jackson once stayed there. The Tavern itself is built on a road constructed by Jackson in 1816 to connect Nashville to New Orleans.
During the American Civil War, Pope’s Tavern served as a command center and hospital for both North as South as the city of Florence changed hands during the course of the war.
Archaeologists also discovered the brick-remains of a structure that they think served as a hearth or outbuilding.
The Pope’s Tavern museum houses several Civil War artifacts, including a Kennedy Long Rifle and a Confederate colonel’s uniform.