On the surface they are virtually undetectable, showing nothing but manicured grass, dandelions, and occasionally a picker or two. However, lying a couple of feet below the surface are beautiful pieces of glass, hand finished with each having a character of its own. OK, so how did all those beautiful bottles get down there? Well it's simple; garbage. Back then there were no motor vehicles to come collect your trash, which meant you couldn't drive it anywhere either.

So, what better a place to discard unwanted bottles than down a hole? Out of sight...out of mind. Many household refuse items made their way into this smelly pit in the backyard. Little did they realize they were depositing treasures that will one day be unearthed by privy diggers. Yes it is true, one man's trash is another man's treasure.

Why are Dan and I talking to complete strangers about excavating their "old toilet" every weekend? For pure excitement? In case you are unfamiliar with the whole premise behind privy digging, let me quickly explain. After reading Privies 101 you already know that privies were common decor in backyards through out the country before the turn of the century. These privies are in their own way time capsules with their surplus guarded by a keen disguise.