Chris:

I looks like it might be a version of a victorian shell purse....I'll see if I can find a pic....
jamie

--- 
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Jamie C. Brandon 
University of Arkansas 
Department of Anthropology & 
NorthWest Arkansas Community College 
Department of Behavioral Sciences 
http://www.projectpast.org/jcbrandon/ 



----- Original Message -----
From: Christopher Fennell <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Thursday, January 26, 2006 11:43 am
Subject: Artifact identifcation question
> Dear Listmembers, 
> 
> An artifact was recently uncovered during some landscape work on the 
> grounds of St. Peter's Catholic Church and Rectory in Harpers 
> Ferry, West 
> Virginia. I would greatly appreciate any information you can 
> provide as to 
> the identification of this object, its purpose, and likely date of 
> manufacture. 
> 
> Photos of the area in which it was uncovered and of the artifact, 
> as well 
> as background information about the site (which dates from the 1830s 
> onward) are available online at: 
> 
> http://www.anthro.uiuc.edu/faculty/cfennell/StPeter2006.html 
> 
> I suspect it is a form of mussel shell snuff box, but it has some 
> unusualcharacteristics. 
> 
> Many thanks! 
> Chris 
> 
> ********************** 
> Christopher C. Fennell 
> Assistant Professor 
> Department of Anthropology 
> 109 Davenport Hall, MC-148, 607 S. Mathews Ave. 
> University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801 
> phone: (217) 244-7309 fax: (217) 244-3490 
> http://www.anthro.uiuc.edu/faculty/cfennell 
>