A new exhibit in UA Little Rock's Ottenheimer Library is giving visitors a glimpse into the university's past one artifact at a time.

The exhibit, "The UA Little Rock Garden Site (3PU1132) Archaeological Project," features 35 artifacts uncovered during the university's recent campus dig, including items recovered from the site of the former Safeway Ice Cream Plant and early- to mid-20th-century materials believed to be residential refuse. Located on the first floor of the library, the exhibit will remain on display through the summer.

"This is an opportunity for people to learn about the history of our campus and how it was used in the early 20th century," said Dr. Maureece Levin, assistant professor of anthropology and lead researcher on the project. "It also gives a sense of how archaeologists do what we do -- from excavation to interpretation."

The Garden Site Project launched in fall 2023 as part of Levin's Archaeological Investigations course. Since then, students and volunteers have logged more than hundreds of hours uncovering artifacts such as bricks, nails, tiles, and glass. For Levin, one artifact stands out: a small metal jack from a children's game.

"It sheds light on people's recreational activities at the site," Levin said. "It helps us better understand who lived there, which is ultimately our goal as archaeologists."

Paige Blair and Rebecca Hardcastle, both interns on the project, played key roles in developing the exhibit. They learned about public interpretation and artifact display -- skills that go beyond the excavation site.

Although fieldwork has wrapped up for the semester, Levin said the team is preparing to analyze findings, present at conferences, and publish their research. Future excavations are expected to continue through the Archaeological Investigations course in coming years.