We are currently writing up the results of a data recovery excavation of a
small domestic site in Chester County, Pennsylvania, dating from the late
18th to early 19th centuries. Among the artifacts are several thimbles, two
of which have a small hole punched through the crown. According to Noel
Hume, similar artifacts have been found on Plains Indian sites, where they
were evidently used as "tinklers" to ornament clothing and pouches. Has
anyone run across this type of artifact of non-Native American sites? If
so, how was their presence interpreted?  Thanks.

Rick Affleck


Richard M. Affleck, RPA
Senior Archaeologist
URS Corporation
561 Cedar Lane
Florence, NJ  08518-2511
609-499-3447 (phone)
609-499-3516 (fax)