Apotropaism! Yay!
-----Original Message-----
From: HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of anne grulich
Sent: Wednesday, April 08, 2015 10:54 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Horseshoes - Foundations
We recently discovered 6 unused horseshoes in the lower warming oven of a ca. 1840s fireplace on Great Cranberry Island, Maine. (This was not an archaeological context.) Two postulates for their placement: trivets or the folk practice Chris refers to. This discovery was made on the heels of a group of human shoes discovered concealed in a fireplace wall of a neighboring contemporary home.
Anne Grulich
Great Cranberry Island Historical Society (gcihs.org) [log in to unmask]
-----Original Message-----
From: HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of M. Chris Manning
Sent: Tuesday, April 07, 2015 11:20 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Horseshoes - Foundations
This is most likely evidence of a widespread folk practice in which a horseshoe or other iron object, such as an edge tool, is secured to a building or integrated into the structure itself to bring good luck and/or protection to the house. Check out my recent article in the fall issue of Historical Archaeology. I specifically discuss horseshoes on pages 72-73.
Manning, M. Chris. 2014. The Material Culture of Ritual Concealments in the United States. Historical Archaeology 48(3):52-83.
I would be very interested in learning more about the details of this find and seeing some photos. Please message me off list.
Chris
M. Chris Manning, M.A., M.S.H.P.
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-----Original Message-----
From: HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Ben Resnick
Sent: Tuesday, April 7, 2015 1:56 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Horseshoes - Foundations
We encountered several horseshoes buried partially beneath the corner of a dressed stone foundation at a 19th century domestic site located along the southern Virginia coastal plain. Additional horseshoes were also recovered along the foundation wall of an early 20th century addition. I would be interested to hear of any similar observations for these site types including information regarding the possible background of site occupants (ethnicity, etc.).
Thanks,
Ben
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Ben Resnick, MA, RPA, MBA
GAI Consultants, Inc.
385 East Waterfront Drive, Homestead, PA 15120-5005
412.476.2000 ext. 1200 | C 412.759.3156
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