Managing and Preserving the Archaeological Record

This project confronts the questions of how we curate and preserve the archaeological record, in the lab and post-project. The final product will be an archaeological management report and plan for preservation. There are three components to this project:

1. Catalog Maintenance: You will be in charge of maintaining and updating the computerized project catalog database. This can be done during weekly lab sessions. The catalog already exists in Access format, and you will enter data into it from the handwritten catalog forms that we fill out in class. During this process, you should consult with Dana Munroe ([email protected]) who will organize our Access database so that our JBH catalog transfers into their museum acquisition inventory. Once all of our materials are cataloged, you will write up information about the artifacts in general that were excavated across the site. Use the database to calculate overall quantities of materials, examine groups of materials however you see appropriate, relevant, or interesting (e.g. ceramics, or more specifically, porcelain), and present the results visually (graphs, charts, etc). You don’t have to do this for every artifact! General calculations are fine, with a few examples of interesting trends, materials, or material distributions per area or Unit.

2. Previously Excavated Materials: Three boxes of artifacts were collected during the excavations in the late 1960s. This is the only information that remains from the excavations. You will work with these materials, either at the John Brown House, or at the lab (if Krysta can arrange a loan). Your task will be to enter these materials into the Access database, so that their information is available for future archaeological studies and for the Rhode Island Historical Society. You do not need to fill out handwritten catalog forms for these – just enter them directly into the computerized database. Krysta will work with you to identify the artifacts and to catalog them. Once cataloged, conduct similar calculations of overall material quantities and breakdown of their types, as in Part 1.

3. Management Plan: The final part of this project combines the results of Parts 1 and 2 and goes beyond the immediate artifacts to consider their long term preservation, conservation, and curation. After familiarizing yourself with the John Brown House curation practices and facilities (Dan Santos will help), create a management plan for these artifacts and the associated excavation materials (paperwork, videos, wiki). This may turn out to be very different from the JBH policies and practices, which is OK. Consider and recommend conditions for storage. Also make specific recommendations for the continuation or future lives of these objects in educational activities, presentations or exhibits, and other studies. You may find it useful to consult with Maggie or Moira, both of whom are doing an Exhibition Design project.

Syllabus / 2008 Class Members and Field Blogs / Readings / Critical Responses / 2008 Excavation & Unit Summaries / Sample Field Forms / 2008 Images / References & Resources / 2008 Midterm Projects / 2008 Final Projects