Archaeologists will conclude excavating parts of two 17th century forts at Colonial Pemaquid in Bristol on Friday, part of an annual effort to dig into the past at one of the earliest sites of European occupation in North America.

Work began Monday in the areas of the enlisted men’s quarters, which had never been explored before. Items found so far, in bottom photo, include a 1723 Irish coin, a pipe fragment, a .60-caliber musket ball, part of a comb and a knee buckle.

Photos by John Patriquin/Staff Photographer