We have recently excavated a tightly dated deposit (1890s) of residential 
artifacts.  The majority of the deposit appears to be ceramics from at least 
four British makers.  Other items include pressed glass, glass candy dish, 
perfume caddy, horse shoe (one), one French toothbrush, one large comb, couple 
of decomposed cans of indeterminate size, pickle jar, several Prosser buttons, 
condiment bottle, sets of glass stemware, window glass, and one ceramic doll or 
figurine face.  There was no cutlery, cooking ware, tools, and very little 
bone.  

Based on weathering of broken edges, it appears that the items were broken 
elsewhere, as opposed to fresh fractures from excavation, and then deposited in 
a prepared pit (3 x 3 x 2 feet).  Only one whole bottle was recovered.  All the 
ceramics were broken and appear to be from several sets of plain white 
earthenware dishes.  The artifacts appear to be average or slightly above in 
cost. We are investigating the possibility that the artifacts may have resulted 
from a single episode of deposition. The question is what might have occasioned 
mass destruction of a collection of dining ware?  We are investigating 
earthquakes which are well-known for the area but would be interested in other 
possibilities, which brings us to this list.  Any comments or suggestions would 
be appreciated.  

 John M. Foster, RPA Greenwood-Associates.com 310.454.3091 tel/fax 310.717.5048 
cell