Artifacts Have Stories Too...

Interesting Finds

 

 

 Within each 10 cm level, a small piece of the past begins to tell a story. True, it's not a complete story, but even the smallest things can be significant because they were once a part of a person's daily life experience. The following images are some of the more interesting things that I have uncovered just two days into the fieldschool

 

 

The Token

 

In a new context we started today in our 2 x 2 m pit, I found this little gem. At first we thought it might have been some type of coin, since yesterday Blaine found an Indian Head penny. Unfortunately, this wasn't a coin, but actually might be a little more interesting. A quick Google search and consultation with Dr. Gray and we have decided that with it might be a token that was used in New Orleans in the early 20th century as a trade item. For example they were used in brothels and for food by the poor. This particular on has 2 1/2 etched on one side (pictured here)  and the letters S. K. on the other.

Rib Bone



 By far, this is probably the item that I was most excited about finding. Without finding any other bones of this size and being a little rusty on identification, I'm guessing its a proximal bone of a cow or pig. There are chatter marks along the side and evidence that it was sawed.

The Teacup

As we were opening up a new context this morning and removing the silt, my partner Janet and I came across this beauty. It's a almost complete teacup that must have broken in place. We won't be sure if it's just this half or the complete cup until we open up the context under this which will probably be around 50-60 cm.

 

The Rockingham Teapot

When I first pulled this out of the loose dirt this morning, I was confused because I thought it was bone. After washing it off and cleaning out the spout, I discovered it was a the spout of a Rockingham teapot. For the last two days we have been finding smaller pieces of the same type of ceramics with the face of dead presidents. Janet is hoping that she can piece together the complete pot back at the lab at UNO.