Tarragindi is a property in Berrien Springs, Michigan. It was once part of a larger property owned by successive generations of the same family for nearly 100 years from the late 1800's until 1990. Because there was no garbage collection in those days, the original owners created a "farmer's dump" over that time on Tarragindi that contains an archeologist's treasure trove of artifacts and information about how life was lived in Berrien Springs during that period.
The goal of the Tarragindi Archaeological Dig is to give school-aged students the opportunity to participate in a real archaeological dig and gain a greater appreciation and knowledge of the history of their own hometown. This is not a virtual class. Students will be digging on a real archaeological site with Dr Jan Sigvartsen who exceeds the Secretary of the Interior's Professional Qualifications Standards for Archaeology as stipulated in the Code of Federal Regulations, 36 CFR Part 61.
Tarragindi is the name given to the property by the current owner and is named after a place in Australia where she used to live. It means "home or camp on a hill."
The Spring 2025 Dig is free through the Berrien Springs Parent Partnership for all school-aged children living or attending public, private, or home school in the Berrien Springs school district. It is listed under the Outdoors and Humanities categories in the Parent Partnership. Registration is now closed.
Dig Director - Dr Jan Sigvartsen
Dig Director - Dr Jan Sigvartsen
Dig Director- Dr Jan Sigvartsen
Dig Director - Dr Jan Sigvartsen
Jan Sigvartsen PhD has taught Archeology and Ancient Religion classes at Andrews University, Michigan, and the Theologische Hochschule Friedensau, Germany where he was also the PhD Programs Coordinator and Associate Director of the Institute of Biblical Studies and Archeology. He has participated in archaeological digs in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordon, has traveled extensively to historic sites globally, and has lived in Israel, Norway, England, Germany, Australia, and the United States. Dr Sigvartsen exceeds the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and Guidelines for Archeology and Historic Preservation and Professional Qualifications Standards as stipulated in the Code of Federal Regulations, 36 CFR Part 61.
Leanne Sigvartsen originally trained as a psychologist in Australia and spent many years as a counselor and academic advisor for teens and young adults. She currently works with the Chicago-based Center for Collaborative Study for Trauma, Health Equity, and Neurobiology as their Research and Special Projects Director. She is a triple citizen of the United States, Australia, and Malta, and has lived in the United States, Australia, and Germany.
All finds remain the property of the Tarragindi property owner who has expressed a desire to donate significant finds to the Berrien Springs History Center and allow participating students to keep selected items provided they are not sold or profited from. Please do not trespass or come onto the property outside of class times.
Circa 1910's
Levi Garrett and Sons snuff (smokeless tobacco) is one of the oldest products in the United States still in use. It is also the oldest trademarked product and was one of the first American trademarks given (No.7). A snuff bottle may indicate that the former owners were not a part of the Seventh-day Adventist population that has lived in Berrien Springs since 1875 - as this religious group discouraged members from using tobacco products.
Circa 1918
Back during World War 1, a resident of the property enjoyed a bottle of Coke and threw it onto the farmer's dump. It sat there for 107 years until Leif Sigvartsen found it in October 2024. This find helps us date the age of the site and in what direction it progressed over time.
Circa 1930's
A number of intact Pepsi bottles from this period were found at Tarragindi. Was this because a new generation was working this property who preferred drinking Pepsi to Coke? Are items found in this section of the farmers dump from a later period?
Circa 1920's
Linco Bleach was a company that was established in the 1920's in Chicago by two brothers. The distinctive brown bottle was a staple in many households in the Chicagoland area as it was used to wash cloth diapers in a time before disposable ones. This can indicate that babies may have lived on this property.