First I wonder why this question is asked. This was standard undergrad
training where and when I went to school (University of Delaware).
Maybe on the east coast things are different.
I cut my teeth on Ivor Noel-Hume's "A Guide to the Artifacts of Colonial
America" along with DelDOT Archaeological Series #15, "Historic Ceramic
Typology with Principal Dates of Manufacture and Descriptive
Characteristics for Identification" by Ann Brown. Brown's work compiled
many other works into a workable system. It is available online.
http://www.deldot.gov/archaeology/ceramic_typology/index.shtml
Both the above are good for late colonial, and federal period including
ironstone/white granite. I have not seen a good comprehensive
nineteenth C. or 20th C. ceramic compendium.
Keith Doms
-----Original Message-----
From: HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
Christina J. Hodge
Sent: Friday, February 20, 2009 11:00 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Pottery Characteristics
It's a tricky one, especially in the field with dirty sherds and
variable
light conditions. Would there be any point to Munselling the stuff do
you think?