The site of the Doan Gang robbery was discovered in an archaeological excavation in Bucks County

The drilling operation took place in Newtown, Pennsylvania, about 30 miles northeast of Philadelphia, local website WFMZ reported. Students from Bucks County Community College worked alongside staff from Mercer Museum During excavation.

Although it appears to be an unassuming plot of land in suburban Pennsylvania, the site was once home to Colonial-era city buildings, including the county jail and courthouse.

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The excavations, which took place from March 23 to 28, focused on the area where the treasury building was located.

Pictures show Archaeologists and volunteers Work around the open excavation pit, as well as many small 18th century artefacts were uncovered, including coins.

Researchers say the site played a role in a 1781 robbery involving Duane’s gang, when thousands of colonial coins were stolen from the Bucks County treasury. A scene involving Doan’s gang was filmed on the right. (Mike Schaefer, Bucks County Historical Society; Wikimedia Commons)

The excavation took place on land steeped in Revolutionary War history, according to Clint Flack, an exhibits specialist at the Bucks County Historical Society.

Flack, who participated in the excavations, told Fox News Digital that the most important finds included three British rifle nuts from… revolutionary war era, Which was used to stir gunpowder into guns.

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They also found a small set of keys — either used for furniture or a lock — as well as a Dutch copper coin called a New York duet and penny from 1737, the historian said.

Artifacts recovered from the pits include coins, pottery, and gun-related items dating back more than 200 years to colonial America. (Mike Schaefer, Bucks County Historical Society)

The excavators also found a large amount of ceramics, pottery and glass that had been present under the soil for more than 200 years.

Flack said the team was “very surprised” to find the foundation of the vault hidden just beneath the surface, which he described as being in good condition.

“The gang opened the cupboard door, but had to break open a locked desk by opening drawers with knives.”

The foundation was a major discovery, as the building was the site of an infamous robbery by the Doane Gang, a group of Quaker loyalists who stole thousands of colonial coins in 1781.

The theft occurred just three days after the incident The British surrendered at Yorktown,flak related.

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The gang, many of whom were part of the Duane family, stole a large sum from the Bucks County treasury—1,200 Spanish silver dollars and 400 French silver crowns, as well as other cash.

“The robbery began at the home of county treasurer John Hart, where the gang took a bundle of cash that had not yet been deposited in the safe as well as the keys to the safe,” Flack said.

Artifacts discovered during excavations in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, include a small collection of keys, coins and metal objects dating back to the Revolutionary War era, according to researchers. (Mike Schaefer, Bucks County Historical Society)

The historian added that some of the outlaws held Hart hostage, while the other half of the gang robbed the safe just half a mile away.

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He added, “The gang opened the closet door, but they had to break into a locked office by opening drawers with knives.” The desk is currently on display at the Mercer Museum.

Although the Doan Gang robbery remains a high-profile chapter, Flack said it’s just a small part of the property’s “amazing” history.

The excavation provides new insight into historic Bucks County properties with ties to military activity and criminal history. (Mike Schaefer, Bucks County Historical Society)

He said the closet was used to store gunpowder in the early days of the American Revolution, and where Continental Army soldiers would camp Throughout Bucks County.

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Flack noted that “some of the Hessian (mercenaries) captured at the Battle of Trenton were imprisoned in the prison next to the Treasury.”

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“Several members of Duan’s gang have been imprisoned in the prison next to the vault.”