The Archaeological Research Committee of the Bermuda National Trust is running a dig in Long House at Hunter's Wharf in St. George's over the next few weeks.

The building's current owner, Meyer Agencies Ltd. and the architect, T. J. Bowers, asked the Committee if they would be interested in conducting an archaeological excavation of the ground floor and garden before renovations are due to be carried out to the northern half of the building in the next couple of months.

The Grade 1 listed building, consisting of a top floor residence and ground floor store-room, was built around 1794 by John Paynter, a merchant from Bailey's Bay.

"It is great to be asked to investigate such an interesting old building," said Archaeological Research Committee Chairman, Richard Lowry.

"We are not always given the chance to dig before an historic site is developed or renovated but the word is getting out. We have a good relationship with the St. George's Corporation, who allowed us to excavate an archaeological deposit that was discovered last year during trenching work in One Gun Alley and it is encouraging that we are now being contacted by others.

"A dig will enable archaeologists to find out additional information on the use and history of the building and will help reconstruct what daily life in 19th Century St. George's was like," he said. When an historic building or site is renovated without having an archaeological dig an important part of Bermuda's cultural history is lost.

Mr. Lowry also said that as a World Heritage Site, St. George's gets special protection so sometimes a dig is required, although this is not the case with Long House. "But there are plenty of other sites and ruins throughout the rest of the island that could benefit from the same attention."

The dig began on Saturday and the excavations and will continue over the next two weekends.