Dig Into the Past: Researching Ceramics and Artifacts

15 February 2012

DIG INTO THE PAST

“It’s not what you find; it’s what you find out.”-David Hurst Thomas

“..Archaeology is not about things, it is about people.

 It is about understanding life in the past,

about understanding who we are and where we came from.”

From The Awful Truth About Archaeology by Lynne Sebastian, Society for American Archaeology, SAA Archaeological Record, Vol.3, No.2, p. 37

 Surviving artifacts tell a story – providing clues about culture, time period, resources in the environment, trade networks and other details. They reflect the individuals and culture associated with them - Native Americans, immigrants, early settlers, sea captains, tavern keepers, craftsmen, or merchants. What are the artifacts made of? Where were they made?  Who made them? These are some of the fundamental elements of scientific inquiry pertaining to artifact research that we will be discussing: 

^WHY IS THE PAST IMPORTANT?  

^OBSERVATION AND INFERENCE

^SIGNIFICANCE OF CONTEXT

^CHRONOLOGY

^CLASSIFYING/CATALOGUING BASED ON ARTIFACT ATTRIBUTES               

^ANALYSIS/CROSS-DATING/ANALOGIES             

^ INTERPRETATION            

^SHARING THE INFORMATION

Guest Lecturers:

Sheila Charles is an independent archaeologist and historian specializing in New England and Colonial history, environmental review, cultural resource management and archaeological education. She is Chief Archaeologist at Strawbery Banke Museum, President of the New Hampshire Archaeological Society and Co-coordinator of Project Archaeology. Charles holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Anthropology from California State University Northridge.

Over the last forty years, Charles has conducted archaeological research in projects across North America, from California, to Ohio, and the New England States. She has played an integral role as a principal investigator, historic sites archaeologist, historian, archaeological laboratory supervisor, and cultural resource manager and authored over seventy five archeological reports and articles. In addition, Charles teaching and outreach experiences include directing college and independent field schools and educational enrichment projects, teachers’ workshops, as well as lecturing and exhibit development. 

Tara Vose is Curator and Collections Manager at Strawbery Banke Museum, a position she has held since 2002.  Her MA. is in history from the Pennsylvania State University; she is ABD from the College of William and Mary, also in history and museum studies.  Prior to arriving at SBM, Tara interned in interpreter training and historic trades at Colonial Williamsburg, and was Curator of the History Media Center at the University of Delaware.

Through avocation and practice, Tara brings a wealth of knowledge regarding ceramics, furniture, historic textiles and all manner of needle arts to Strawbery Banke Museum and to Portsmouth area historic houses and institutions including the Portsmouth Athenaeum, the Warner House, and the Portsmouth Historic House Association. She is an active member of the China Students Club and serves as a juror for Early American Life Directory of Traditional Crafts.