Julie:
Would you include the systematic collection of human remains and funerary
objects part of this "artifact collecting and collecting behavior"? I have
documented numerous examples of this in southern New England not only by
amateur collectors, but medical students and faculty at regional
universities during the "phrenology revolution."
For example:
Beginning in the 1840's and continuing at least until the early 1860's, Dr.
Usher Parsons actively excavated burials from an Eastern Niantic cemetery in
Charlestown, RI. Parsons, whose earlier interests included phrenology, was
fascinated with the local Indian tribes. In 1862, he presented a paper to
the Rhode Island Historical Society on the Niantic Indians and artifacts
found in Charlestown. "'The interest in the Doctor's papers was greatly
enhanced by an exhibition of a portion of the relics, taken from the graves
of Ninigret (Niantic Sachem) and his daughter, all in an excellent state of
preservation. So large a collection has never before, probably been found in
any Indian grave.' The first portion of the published sketch is devoted to
a description of Indian customs with regard to burial...The most interesting
portions of the account contain descriptions of the grave of Ninigret
himself and that of his daughter... In May of 1859, several citizens of
Charlestown, Rhode Island, spurred in by curiosity as to whether Indians
were buried in a horizontal or sitting posture, repaired to the Sachem's
burial ground with spades and crowbars. They began their excavation at the
west end of the cemetery, reputedly the site of the earliest interment..."
If this interests you, I'd be happy to discuss my research off-list. Also,
you may want to check out Skull Wars by David Hearst Thomas.
Jason
Jason R. Mancini, Senior Researcher
Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center
110 Pequot Trail, Mashantucket, CT 06339-3180
tel. 860.396.6802 fax 860.396.6914
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-----Original Message-----
From: Elizabeth Crowell [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Wednesday, April 17, 2002 1:32 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Collecting
Julie -
I have done a great deal of research on nineteenth century
collectors, however all of the collectors that I have researched were
collecting Native American artifacts. If you want to contact me off-list, I
would be glad to talk to you about it.
Liz
Elizabeth Crowell
Parsons
Cultural Resources Department
10521 Rosehaven Street
Fairfax, VA 22030
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-----Original Message-----
From: King, Julia
Sent: Wednesday, April 17, 2002 12:06 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Collecting
Dear Colleagues,
I am studying artifact collecting and collecting behavior,
especially in
colonial and 19th century America. Has anyone come across evidence
(archaeological, documentary, etc.) of artifact collecting that
would be of
interest to my project?
I am especially interested in the collecting people did at places
they
deemed historic, and how collectors then used or displayed these
materials.
Any information about artifact collecting practices in colonial and
19th
century America would be helpful and appreciated.
Many thanks,
Julie King
JULIA A. KING
MARYLAND ARCHAEOLOGICAL CONSERVATION LABORATORY
10515 MACKALL ROAD
ST. LEONARD, MD 20685
410.586.8551
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