Meg, in fact I did find slate and pencils at a sawmill site in NC that I
interpreted as being used to keep track of wood cut, workers hours, and
whatever else one might need to keep track of in such an environment.
On 4/20/2016 1:06 PM, Meg Gorsline wrote:
> Thank you, everyone, for your helpful references, comments, and
> experiences! I agree, Jim, that pencils may have more to reveal than we
> usually credit them with. I have never come across carved pencils before -
> those were particularly interesting examples. I've noticed a trend in
> archaeological interpretations of slate pencils, which is an association
> with children and/or education. But weren't slate pencils also used for
> leisure activities (gaming?) and in craft production (carpentry, etc.)?
> Again, thank you all for this interesting discussion!
>
> Best,
> Meg
>
> On Wed, Apr 20, 2016 at 10:00 AM, Marie-Lorraine Pipes <
> [log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
>> I grew up in France during 1960s. All children used slates to practice
>> in-class exercises and to do homework. Only the final versions were
>> transferred onto paper with ink and handed in. that is because paper was
>> incredibly expensive.
>>
>> The slateboards were always framed in wood. We had slate pencils that were
>> held in metal tube frames with screws that moved moved them through the
>> tube as they worn down. We never heldslate pencils without the frame as
>> they dirtied the hand. Also, we had slate pencils of different colors for
>> highlighting and coloring assignments in class. Last everyone had little
>> plastic pots (formerly ceramic) that held water and a sponge so you could
>> erase your slateboard.
>>
>> My mother and grandmother used the same equipment when they were in school.
>>
>> Marie-Lorraine Pipes, PhD, RPA
>> Zooarchaeologist Consultant
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Madrigal, Cregg <[log in to unmask]>
>> To: HISTARCH <[log in to unmask]>
>> Sent: Wed, Apr 20, 2016 9:50 am
>> Subject: Re: Slate pencils
>>
>> Meg,
>>
>> At the Covert-Larch neighborhood excavation in Jersey City, NJ, there were
>> over 200 slates and slate pencils from late 19th to early 20th century
>> residential contexts. Like Carl mentioned, some of the slate tablet
>> fragments appear to have been scored. They also found a disassembled wood
>> frame they think may have been from a writing slate, as well as some
>> graphite pencils.
>>
>> Howson, Jean, and Leonard G. Bianchi
>> 2014 COVERT-LARCH: ARCHAEOLOGY OF A JERSEY CITY NEIGHBORHOOD. Data
>> Recovery for the Route 1&9T (25) St. Paul’s Viaduct Replacement Project,
>> Jersey City, Hudson County, NJ. Prepared for New Jersey Department of
>> Transportation by the The RBA Group, Inc., Cultural Resource Unit.
>>
>>
>> Cregg
>>
>>
>> T. Cregg Madrigal, Ph.D.
>> Environmental Specialist 3 – Archaeology
>> New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
>> Municipal Finance and Construction Element
>> Mail Code 401-03D
>> PO Box 420
>> Trenton, NJ 08625-0420
>> 609-633-1170
>> [log in to unmask]
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Carl
>> Sent: Tuesday, April 19, 2016 2:14 PM
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>> Subject: Re: Slate pencils
>>
>> I too have found slate pencils and writing slates on a wide variety of
>> sites in SC and NC, including sites occupied by African American slaves and
>> Freedmen. Often the slates are scored like notebook paper. I use their
>> presence on Af-Am sites to highlight the desire to learn to read and write,
>> despite laws forbidding the practice.
>>
>> On 4/19/2016 2:05 PM, Martha Zierden wrote:
>>> They are a regular find on sites in Charleston, SC. They are more
>>> common in 19th century contexts, but some are recovered from late 18th
>>> century deposits, as well. A maximum length is 3"
>>> Martha Zierden
>>>
>>> On Tue, Apr 19, 2016 at 2:00 PM, Keith Doms
>>> <[log in to unmask]>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>> You can check various catalogs (Sears and Montgomery Wards) for
>>>> prices and some description. The 1902 Sears repro catalog omits the
>>>> pencil pages but years ago Sears actually sent me a copy of them.
>>>> They sold cedar encased slate pencils at $.08/dozen.
>>>>
>>>> I recently found a 1 inch nub of a slate pencil with a grove carved
>> around
>>>> the base. A worn out pencil that was once tied to something. Mostly
>>>> their presence is noted without much comment.
>>>>
>>>> Keith R. Doms
>>>> Newlin Grist Mill
>>>> Site Manager
>>>> 219 S. Cheyney Rd.
>>>> Glen Mills, PA 19342
>>>> (610) 459-2359
>>>> [log in to unmask]
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
>>>> Meg Gorsline
>>>> Sent: Tuesday, April 19, 2016 1:09 PM
>>>> To: [log in to unmask]
>>>> Subject: Slate pencils
>>>>
>>>> Good afternoon,
>>>>
>>>> I'm trying to gather some information about slate pencils. I've come
>>>> across a few publications about writing slates (including Davies 2005
>>>> and Swords
>>>> 2008) and I'm wondering if folks have any additional suggestions for
>>>> literature about slate pencils?
>>>> There are a few slate pencils in a 19th century northeast U.S.
>>>> domestic collection I'm analyzing, and I am curious to hear what
>>>> others have made of any slate pencils they've recovered. Thanks in
>>>> advance for any references, information, or insight you may have to
>> share!
>>>> Best,
>>>> Meg Gorsline
>>>> Doctoral Candidate
>>>> The Graduate Center, CUNY
>>>> New York, NY
>>>>
>>>
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