I understand that privy vaults made from barrels were pretty common in some
areas of the country and that barrels also were used in parts of well
shafts.

M. Jay Stottman
Kentucky Archaeological Survey


----- Original Message -----
From: "Stubbs, Donna L" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, December 20, 2001 6:32 AM
Subject: Rain barrels


> Listers:
>
> During a recent Phase II excavation in Dubuque, we examined a feature that
> was described as a cistern, however, the artifacts recovered from the
> excavation included a large number of barrel hoop fragments as well as a
lot
> of household trash.  An Internet search turned up a reference to an
> excavation in Minnesota where two features with intact barrel hoops were
> uncovered.  The interpretation there was that rain barrels had been
> partially buried to half their height and besides their original function
> had also been used as trash barrels.
>
> My questions:  Has this type of feature been identified at other sites
here
> in the US? or elsewhere?  How common is this practice?  Is there any
ethnic
> correlation?  References always welcome.
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> Donna Stubbs                             HDR Engineering, Inc.
> Archaeologist                                6190 Golden Hills Dr.
> (763)591-5442                              Minneapolis, MN  55416
> mailto: [log in to unmask]