Subject: | |
From: | |
Reply To: | |
Date: | Tue, 1 Nov 2005 10:55:13 -0500 |
Content-Type: | text/plain |
Parts/Attachments: |
|
|
Marbles also show up in contexts that go beyond the archaeology of
childhood. I've encountered nineteenth century marbles as funerary objects
in Plateau/Columbia River collections that are subject to repatriation. One
collection contained a single translucent blue glass marble, and another
yielded about 8 marbles, mostly ceramic with hand painted decoration, but
glass marbles were also present. This collection of funerary objects also
included tens of thousands of glass trade beads, including many larger,
ornate beads. Since beads and marbles share similarities, it doesn't seem
like such a big leap between them, though there's no evidence so far to
suggest marbles as ornament. But their similarity to large, ornate beads
may explain their presence in a funerary context, though this is
speculation. Although this is a very specific context, we can't always
equate marbles with children or games.
Also, I've found Gartley and Carskadden's 1998 book Colonial Period and
Early 19th Century Children's Toy Marbles to be very helpful.
Laurie
Laurie E. Burgess
Associate Chair
Department of Anthropology
Natural Museum of Natural History
Smithsonian Institution
10th and Constitution Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20560
202-633-1915
[log in to unmask]
|
|
|