In response to Debbie's question. We do not as of yet have a standard
procedure of what is saved and what isn't from an historic site - it is
left up to the individual archaeologist to some degree. For me personally,
I do not save any artifact category that I consider to be unidentifiable -
that is something that not only can I not identify but that I don't think
has enough characteristics for anyone to identify. I catalogue them as
unidentifiable nail or metal with weight, size grade, type of metal if
possible, recorded and then I discard them. I discard all coal, slag, etc.
after it has been weighed, size graded, and catalogued. I also discard
limestone building materials without any modified sides and brick without
any of the original surfaces left, again always after cataloguing
completely with weight, size grade, temper, etc. I also size grade and
weigh large amounts of limestone and mortar, and well as cobbles that have
been used for pavements, etc.  in the field and do not bring them back to
the lab.
 
Other than these, I'm pretty conservative about throwing things away. I
don't throw away undecorated whiteware because I have found that some of
these seemingly undiagnostic body sherds fit with other more diagnostic
pieces when I return to the site for further excavation.
 
Hope this is helpful.
Susan Snow
Project Archaeologist
General Contracts Program
Office of the State Archaeologist
University of Iowa
302 Eastlawn Building
Iowa City, IA 52242
 
(319) 335-2396
(319) 335-2776 FAX
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