Perhaps it was a house cleaning episode associated with a change in
occupancy. I have seen such deposits (mostly with privies) where large
amounts of household debris, such as sets of dishes, glassware, etc. were
dumped when a change occurred in the function of the property (from
residential to commercial) or in occupants (a long term resident moves and
downsizes). The deposits coincided with documented changes in occupancy
found in the archival record.
Jay
M. Jay Stottman
Staff Archaeologist
Kentucky Archaeological Survey
----- Original Message -----
From: "John M. Foster, RPA" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, July 22, 2010 2:51 PM
Subject: Questions about residential deposit
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
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