We have done extensive research on shroud pins from burials in Historic St.
Mary's City.   We undertook an analysis using an electron microscope an
found we could identify fiber types based on "fossil casts".  Contact me off
list for more details since the results have not been published yet.
 
Silas Hurry
-----Original Message-----
From: Marie Pokrant <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Monday, December 14, 1998 6:38 PM
Subject: Colonial Burials
 
 
>At the First Spanish Presidio Santa Maria de Galve (1698-1722)in Pensacola,
>Florida on the Naval Air Station, European burials were encountered under
>the sparse remains of the church. In the analysis of one burial, a possible
>"shroud pin" was recovered.  It appears to be a brass straight pin with its
>head wrapped with thread.  The copper salts from the pin preserved the
>thread.  None of the burial clothes were recovered due to the soil
>conditions.  Does anyone have information on "shroud pins" and how they
were
>used in the colonial period?
>
>Thanks in advance!
>Marie E. Pokrant
>Graduate Student
>The University of West Florida
>Pensacola, FL
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>