They didn't find the shriveled stump of a cherry tree, much less a rusty old hatchet, but archaeologists have finally discovered and excavated the remains of George Washington's boyhood home

historical archeologist Philip Levy, of the University of South Florida—who oversees USF's field school at Ferry Farm, the Washington family homestead near Fredericksburg, Va.—said at a press conference this morning announcing the discovery.

It took seven years and at least two dead ends to find the home on Ferry Farm where Augustine Washington, George's father, moved his family in 1738, when George was 6, and where they remained until 1772.

by comparing the remains to written records of Washington's childhood home and by dating the thousands of artifacts they unearthed, that they had found the long-sought home.

"There is little actual documentary evidence of Washington's formative years. What we see at this site is the best available window into the setting that nurtured the father of our country."