Joe down at W&M asked:
>I recall seeing a journal or newsletter article relatively recently that
>cautioned about proper consideration of time-lag when using
>ceramic ware types to date a historic assemblage or site
>component, but can't seem to relocate it. Does anyone know the
>article to which I'm referring, and if so, would you be so kind to
>either email or post the reference?



I took a look back in the HISTARCH Archives
http://lists.asu.edu/cgi-bin/wa?S1=histarch

and came up with the old message that may be what you were referring to:
http://lists.asu.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0005&L=histarch&P=R88

It was from Bill Adams <[log in to unmask]> and the paper was
posted for just two weeks for comments and then removed from circulation.
He asked people not to copy it or disseminate it and I have not heard if it
was ever published, but you might want to write to him.

William Hampton Adams, PhD
 Lecturer, Director of Studies
 Department of Archaeology
 Flinders University
 GPO 2100
 Adelaide, SA  5050
 AUSTRALIA

 (+61 8) (08) 8201-5257
 (+61 8) (08) 8201- 3845 fax

[log in to unmask]


Here's his original message:
(the link no longer works)


 Subject:      Request to review time lag manuscript

 The following manuscript will be posted on the web for review purposes
 for the next two weeks. I welcome any and all comments and additions,
 examples, etc. It can be found at:

 http://wwwehlt.flinders.edu.au/wha/timelag.html

 One conclusion is that if ceramics are used blindly in dating a site, the
 date will be a generation earlier (i.e., 20-30 years) than the associated
 materials. It challenges the ways in which sites are analyzed and
 interpreted.


 Dating Historical Sites: The Importance of Understanding Time Lag in the
 Acquisition, Curation, Use, and Disposal of Artifacts
 WILLIAM HAMPTON ADAMS
 ABSTRACT
 Each object has a lifespan in which it is made, transported, marketed,
 used, and discarded. Despite knowing this obvious fact, historical
 archaeologists too often treat objects as if these were discarded
 immediately after manufacture. Studies from several locations indicate
 that ceramic artifacts last 20-30 years in a household before being
 discarded. Ceramics can be poor sources for dating sites if used without
 considering the cultural context in which they are used, yet ceramics are
 the artifact class used most often in dating sites. This article examines
 time lag of artifacts found in archaeological deposits.