Joe down at W&M asked:
>I recall seeing a journal or newsletter article relatively recently that
>cautioned about proper consideration of time-lag when using
>ceramic ware types to date a historic assemblage or site
>component, but can't seem to relocate it. Does anyone know the
>article to which I'm referring, and if so, would you be so kind to
>either email or post the reference?
I took a look back in the HISTARCH Archives
http://lists.asu.edu/cgi-bin/wa?S1=histarch
and came up with the old message that may be what you were referring to:
http://lists.asu.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0005&L=histarch&P=R88
It was from Bill Adams <[log in to unmask]> and the paper was
posted for just two weeks for comments and then removed from circulation.
He asked people not to copy it or disseminate it and I have not heard if it
was ever published, but you might want to write to him.
William Hampton Adams, PhD
Lecturer, Director of Studies
Department of Archaeology
Flinders University
GPO 2100
Adelaide, SA 5050
AUSTRALIA
(+61 8) (08) 8201-5257
(+61 8) (08) 8201- 3845 fax
[log in to unmask]
Here's his original message:
(the link no longer works)
Subject: Request to review time lag manuscript
The following manuscript will be posted on the web for review purposes
for the next two weeks. I welcome any and all comments and additions,
examples, etc. It can be found at:
http://wwwehlt.flinders.edu.au/wha/timelag.html
One conclusion is that if ceramics are used blindly in dating a site, the
date will be a generation earlier (i.e., 20-30 years) than the associated
materials. It challenges the ways in which sites are analyzed and
interpreted.
Dating Historical Sites: The Importance of Understanding Time Lag in the
Acquisition, Curation, Use, and Disposal of Artifacts
WILLIAM HAMPTON ADAMS
ABSTRACT
Each object has a lifespan in which it is made, transported, marketed,
used, and discarded. Despite knowing this obvious fact, historical
archaeologists too often treat objects as if these were discarded
immediately after manufacture. Studies from several locations indicate
that ceramic artifacts last 20-30 years in a household before being
discarded. Ceramics can be poor sources for dating sites if used without
considering the cultural context in which they are used, yet ceramics are
the artifact class used most often in dating sites. This article examines
time lag of artifacts found in archaeological deposits.
|