This sure sounds like many of the contemporary domestic trash deposits in downtown San Diego where earthquakes are very rare and not usually considered.  We sometimes get multiple broken vessels from the same set of vitreous stoneware, in some cases even the same set of fine porcelain. Factors you may want to consider include accumulation of household debris in a barrel or other receptacle  before it is dumped into a pit, purchase of new china and discard of old worn set, change in occupants due to dwelling sale, new lease, evictions, etc.

Regards,

Jerry Schaefer

ASM Affiliates, Inc.
2034 Corte Del Nogal
Carlsbad, CA 92011
760-804-5757 (office)
760-804-5755 (fax)
http://www.asmaffiliates.com/



-----Original Message-----
From: HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of John M. Foster, RPA
Sent: Thursday, July 22, 2010 11:52 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Questions about residential deposit

We have recently excavated a tightly dated deposit (1890s) of residential
artifacts.  The majority of the deposit appears to be ceramics from at least
four British makers.  Other items include pressed glass, glass candy dish,
perfume caddy, horse shoe (one), one French toothbrush, one large comb, couple
of decomposed cans of indeterminate size, pickle jar, several Prosser buttons,
condiment bottle, sets of glass stemware, window glass, and one ceramic doll or
figurine face.  There was no cutlery, cooking ware, tools, and very little
bone.

Based on weathering of broken edges, it appears that the items were broken
elsewhere, as opposed to fresh fractures from excavation, and then deposited in
a prepared pit (3 x 3 x 2 feet).  Only one whole bottle was recovered.  All the
ceramics were broken and appear to be from several sets of plain white
earthenware dishes.  The artifacts appear to be average or slightly above in
cost. We are investigating the possibility that the artifacts may have resulted
from a single episode of deposition. The question is what might have occasioned
mass destruction of a collection of dining ware?  We are investigating
earthquakes which are well-known for the area but would be interested in other
possibilities, which brings us to this list.  Any comments or suggestions would
be appreciated.

 John M. Foster, RPA Greenwood-Associates.com 310.454.3091 tel/fax 310.717.5048
cell