Bermuda will host an archaeological dig by 15 university students who are investigating an 18th century smuggling ring.

The six-week-long "Atlantic World Project" begins next Friday when students from Millersville University will dig at a house and a store site associated with prominent sea captain, John Dickinson.

He and other smugglers had direct ties to Elizabeth Furnace in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, according to Millersville University professor, Timothy Trussell, who will be directing the project.

Ironwork from Lancaster County was shipped throughout the Atlantic rim and traded for French sugar, which was banned by the British. Sea captains sneaked the sugar back to Philadelphia via Bermuda.

Mr. Trussell said: "The sugar magically became a legal English product. Not surprisingly, [the smugglers] made considerable profits."

It is believed that evidence of this trade is buried on or near Mr. Dickinson's property.

Mr. Trussell and his students conducted a small-scale test dig on the Island two years ago and found artifact-rich ruins suggesting elicit trade with the French.

"Now the archaeologists are returning in force," he said.

According to Mr. Trussell, it is the first time the school will lead an archaeological field trip outside the United States, and they will be hosted and partnered by the Maritime Museum in the dig.

Mr. Trussell said: "Usually it is the items you least expect to find which tell you the most. We may have our pre-conceived ideas, but the site usually tells you what is important."