In 1994, Amy Young (University of Tennessee) published two papers =
(Tennessee Anthropologist and Southeastern Archaeology) detailing a =
method of nail analysis at historical archaeological sites to =
distinguish between dump sites (secondary deposition) and construction =
sites (primary deposition).  I recently had the opportunity to test =
Young's method on a Blair County, Pennsylvania site.  The results were =
positive, despite the small sample size and limited Phase II testing =
(seven 1X1 meter units).
 
This method should be a valuable analytical tool when other evidence of =
a structure is lacking at sites where turn-of-the-century balloon frame =
pillar and sill foundation structures were located and briefly occupied =
generating a limited yard midden and no discernable features.
 
I have posted the interpretations section of the report I wrote on the =
WWW at URL "http://www.lm.com/~davidsr/nails.html#nails"
 
Unfortunately, I will not be able to publish in a more "traditional" =
manner, so I thought this would be the next best thing.
 
David S. Rotenstein
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