Archaeologists working at Mackinaw City’s Colonial Michilimackinac have uncovered a musical bit of history you can see during a visit this summer.
Researchers found a jaw harp, a brass instrument, during preparations for the upcoming 2026 archaeological field season at Colonial Michilimackinac, Mackinac State Historic Parks, which manages the site, said in a May 29 news release.
The historic Mackinaw City fort will operate its 20th excavation season June 2 to Aug. 22, and visitors will get a chance to see the work while touring the site.
Here’s what to know about archaeologists’ latest find at Colonial Michilimackinac.
What did archaeologists find at Colonial Michilimackinac?
Archaeologists discovered a jaw harp in the central cellar at Colonial Michilimackinac while cleaning and preparing for the upcoming 2026 archeological field season, Mackinac State Historic Parks said in the release.
The discovery marks the 13th jaw harp found onsite, all in the central cellar and adjacent squares, the release noted.
Researchers are investigating the cellar’s history and currently theorize the central cellar may have historically housed trade goods, while the southeast cellar housed stored food items. It’s possible the central cellar may be older than the southeast cellar, and jaw harps could have been popular in the French era, the release said.
What is a jaw harp?
A jaw harp is a brass musical instrument played using the mouth and jaw and was a common trade good, according to the Historic Jamestowne Visitor Center and Mackinac State Historic Parks.
The instrument is thought to originate in Asia thousands of years ago and was introduced to North America by European settlers in the colonial era.
When does Colonial Michilimackinac’s archaeology season start?
The 2026 archaeological field season at Colonial Michilimackinac begins the first week of June. Weather permitting, archaeologists will be onsite daily from June 2 to Aug. 22.
This will mark the 20th excavation season on the Southeast Rowhouse, officials said. The rowhouse was historically a trader’s house.
What is Colonial Michilimackinac?
Colonial Michilimackinac is a reconstructed 18th century fort and fur trading village in Mackinaw City, next to the Mackinac Bridge, part of Mackinac State Historic Parks. This summer, viewing the archaeological excavations will be included in admission to the historic site.
“As you walk through Colonial Michilimackinac, you are stepping back in time to 1776, as the American Revolution spread. Here, you will see and hear how the growing conflict affected this thriving fur trading community,” Colonial Michilimackinac’s website says.
Visitors can tour the site at a cost, see the website for the complete schedule and price details.
What is Mackinac State Historic Parks?
Mackinac State Historic Parks is an agency within the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, responsible for administering living history museums and parks in northern Michigan’s Straits of Mackinac region.
Contact Jenna Prestininzi: jprestininzi@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Discovery at Colonial Michilimackinac. What you can see this summer
Reporting by Jenna Prestininzi, USA TODAY NETWORK / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
