BRUNSWICK COUNTY, N.C. – Students from East Carolina University have unearthed the remains of a tavern dating back to colonial times.

• Students from ECU uncovered the foundation of a 280 year old tavern.
• It was found at a dig site at Brunswick Town.
• The tavern was likely burned down by British soldiers in the 1760s. 

According to the university, the foundation of an old taver was found at the ruins of Brunswick Town, North Carolina; a once-thriving colonial port burned by British soldiers in 1776 and never rebuilt.

East Carolina University doctoral student Matt Harrup found the remains of a tavern using ground-penetrating radar.

Students on a summer field class spent a month digging out the 15 by 25 foot foundation of the tavern.

It was buried under five feet of leaves and dirt.

Land records suggest the tavern was built in the 1730s or 1740s, and probably burned down in the 1760s.

Students also found cufflinks, parts of a pocket watch, and pieces of china at the dig site.

You can check out drone video of the tavern on ECU's website.