Hi Sean,

I (in my ignorance) had never heard of this, but it makes sense...and
could be helpful, I suppose.  So...I went searching...and did find a
reference to Rathje's study...  "the Garbage Project constructed a
"pull-tab typology" for Tucson, AZ. (You can see it for yourself in the
May 1991 National Geographic, page 131.)"
http://www.mswmanagement.com/msw_0012_beyond.html

Interesting article (the above link) that the above citation came from.

"In fact, archaeologist Stan South once used the density of pull-tabs to
determine the relative popularity of different campsites and trails in
parks."

Well, cant find anything else quickly...but maybe someone else knows.
If you do find a reference other than Rathje's...could you let me know?
Thanks.

Carol

>-----Original Message-----
>From: Sean Dunham [mailto:[log in to unmask]] 
>Sent: Friday, September 16, 2005 7:50 AM
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Pull Tab Typology
>
>
>Hello,
>
>A colleague mentioned a pull tab typology that could be used 
>to identify the brand of beer or soda pop based on the pull 
>tab, but couldn't recall the source.  I was curious if this 
>was something out of can collector circles or maybe out of 
>something like Rathje's garbage project.  Does anyone have any 
>insight or know of any references on the subject?
>
>Thanks in advance,
>
>Sean
>
>Sean B. Dunham, RPA
>Commonwealth Cultural Resources Group, Inc.
>Phone:  517-788-3550 / FAX:  517-788-6594
>e-mail:  [log in to unmask]
>http://www.ccrginc.com
>