There is treasure under our feet, and the Byron Museum of History is excavating it. If you have ever been to the museum you have probably seen their large outhouse exhibit which consists of artifacts recovered from other peoples long forgotten privies. Now the museum has found one in their own backyard.

"To have our own privy dig on our own property is just amazing for us. We have the Lucius Reed House, one of the oldest houses in Byron, it was on the Underground Railroad, but we don't have any of their stuff. And so we indeed have some of their stuff now." says Jessica McCanse, Executive Director of the Museum.

Unlike Indiana Jones, these guys actually spend most of their time digging, and although no gold idols have been discovered yet the sheer quantity of antiques found is overwhelming.

McCanse estimates they have found over a thousand pieces of old artifacts, china, nails, glass bottles, old shell buttons, even bones. Volunteer archaeologist Jim Brubaker has unearthed many of these and like most of the diggers he is a volunteer from the community.

"When I was still working as a fireman I never though I'd be doing this when I retired. I don't know. It's kind of neat. Gives you a feeling of being part of history." he says.

The museum is hoping the dig will generate more interest in history among the community. It certainly worked for this amateur archaeologist.

Operations on a typical outhouse excavation usually only last a day, but since this privy was covered by a parking lot years ago finding it's exact location is more difficult. The museum hopes to finish the dig in the next few weeks.

The museum is considering selling tickets to let people dig during the upcoming Byron Days. In the meantime interested volunteers can call the museum and dig for free. The number is 815-234-5031.