Our last blog about Fort Hunter highlighted the ongoing archival
research staff archaeologists’ conduct to inform how we interpret the results
of each year’s excavation which aids in directing our plans for future
investigations. Over the next few
postings we are going to continue to discuss what happens with Fort Hunter
artifacts and excavation documents between field seasons.
For every day of investigation at a well-defined archaeological
site, roughly seven days are required to fully process and conserve the
artifacts and archive the associated field documentation. This is a general
rule of thumb that many professional archaeologist use to estimate time in
preparing budgets for archaeological investigations. The laboratory time needed
varies to a degree depending on quantities and types of artifacts, the extent
of field records, and the numbers of people working with the collection, but on
average the ratio of 1:7—length of field season to laboratory processing time—holds
true.
Artifacts laid out on trays to clean and label,
Fort Hunter 2015
The 2015 Fort Hunter field season was conducted for a span
of 25 days, with over 12,000 artifacts recovered, 133 proveniences documented
(excavation unit levels dug and subsurface features identified, etc.), and 470
digital photographs taken. Based on the ratio of 1:7, the estimated time for a
single person to fully process the collection would be around 175 days or about
seven months working five days a week. This estimate projects an April
completion date of the following year to fully inventory, curate and archive
collected artifacts and documents for any given fall season. Luckily we have
two staff members in the archaeology lab and a rotation of several dedicated
volunteers who greatly assist with the cleaning and labeling of artifacts. Working together we are able to generally
complete the lab processing of Fort Hunter annual collections by early January,
while juggling other projects and responsibilities.
Volunteer rinsing historic artifacts washed with a
Sonicor industrial cleaner
As with any collection that is processed in the lab, the
initial steps are to organize and record the provenience information from field
bags through the preparation of a digital inventory; and stabilize the
artifacts through washing, dry brushing or other conservation techniques as
needed.
Excerpt from 2015 Bag Inventory
The bag inventory is then used to assign unique catalog numbers
to all proveniences represented in the artifact collection. Cleaned artifacts
that are at least a square inch in diameter and are material types that can be
safely treated with a reversible acryloid basecoat (e.g. - most historic and
prehistoric ceramics; prehistoric stone tools; historic glass and brick) are
labeled with their site number— a trinomial abbreviation developed by the
Smithsonian which includes the state, county, and site information—and their
designated catalog number in archival ink. Labels are then sealed with a clear
topcoat to ensure longevity for long-term curation.
Staff Member basecoating terracotta pots and
redware pottery sherds, Fort Hunter 2015
Fort Hunter’s site number is (36Da159). When ordered
alphabetically, Pennsylvania falls 36th within the 50 States; Da is
the abbreviation for Dauphin County; and Fort Hunter is the 159th
site recorded in the Commonwealth’s archaeological site survey file in this
county. (Click the provided link for more information about the Pennsylvania
Archaeological site survey (PASS) for Dauphin County.)
Volunteer labeling medicine bottle from tray of
glass artifacts, Fort Hunter 2015
It may seem excessive to label the copious amounts of bottle
glass, brick and other materials that are recovered from Fort Hunter every
year, but it is well worth the time investment. The most valuable aspect of
each artifact recovered is where it was located in relation to other artifacts
and features on the site. This is often referred to as an artifact’s context,
and is what ultimately allows archaeologist to interpret past human behaviors.
Labeling artifacts with this coding system allows us to quickly know where they
were recovered from, and is a safe guard against losing this information when
objects are frequently pulled out of storage for further analysis.
Excerpt of Final Artifact Inventory, Fort Hunter
2014
The final steps in the artifact curation process are to add
a description of each artifact or group of like artifacts into the digital
inventory by catalog number, and bag and box them carefully to insure their preservation
for long-term curation. This is all done in a systematic manner so that any
given artifact can be easily accessed and utilized by future researchers.
Maintaining a complete inventory and well organized collection for Fort Hunter
year to year is particularly important because we continue to learn new
information with each field season. Our interpretations continue to expand and
refine as we delve further into the historic record through archival research
and as our field investigations contribute further insights into material
culture practices that both validate the existing historic record and broaden
its scope of perspective.
Staff Member pulling artifacts from collections
storage to compare findings from a previous Fort Hunter investigation year
The State Museum’s Section of Archaeology is the principal repository
for archaeological collections in Pennsylvania and maintains over 7 million
artifacts and associated documents. Fort Hunter field documentation and digital
photographs are also archived in the Section’s county files and on a secure
server with backup contact sheets and logs. These documents are constantly
referenced to draft reports and articles; to create maps; to relay information
in public and professional forums through presentations, exhibits, blog
postings and other media outlets; and to plan further investigations. Each
piece, from the artifacts recovered to field records and photographic
documentation, fits together to reconstruct the story of Fort Hunter’s past. When
the field work is done, we rely on sound conservation practices and accurate
digital records to preserve access to Pennsylvania’s rich archaeological record
for generations to come.
Staff Member searching county files for project documents
Our next blog will delve deeper into an important aspect of
reconstructing and preserving archaeological contexts at Fort Hunter through
digital mapping.
Special thanks to all the 2015 volunteers and interns that
have greatly contributed to Archaeology Month programs this fall and
post-excavation processing of the Fort Hunter collection. Thank you for preserving
our past for our future—Andi B.; Jerry B.; Mary C.; Toni and Andy D.; Phil F.;
Erin, Kaela and Keara F.; John G.; Keenan H.; Jonathan K.; Ruth K.; Linda L.;
Brad M.; Seth M.; Fred M.; Paul R.; Wendy S.; Chriss S.; Wes S.; Clydene,
Stephanie and Steve S.; Andy S.; Merikay W.
If you are interested in learning more about archaeology methods
and Pennsylvania Prehistory check out First Pennsylvanians: The
Archaeology of Native Americans in Pennsylvania available for
purchase online and at The State Museum gift shop.
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