Reconstructing the Beginning of the second Revolutionary War battle of Saratoga

Watch this 2024 NHAS presentation - Reconstructing the Beginning of the second Revolutionary War battle of Saratoga.- by William Griswold, Ph.D., retired National Park Service archeologist

Metal detection surveys in 2019 and 2021 at the Barber Wheatfield in Saratoga National Historical Park have allowed us to conclusively identify the site of the beginning of the second battle at Saratoga, known as the Battle of Bemis Heights. This survey allowed us to reconstruct portions of the battle including the location of the British/German lines, the direction of the American attack, and the location of the British artillery. This battle was considered the turning point in the American Revolution and forced the British General John Burgoyne to surrender to American General Horatio Gates.