🏛️Archaeology of Colonial America Unit 11 – Colonial Households: Artifacts and Culture

What's This Unit About?

• Focuses on the study of colonial households in America through the lens of archaeology
• Examines the physical remains and artifacts found at colonial sites to understand daily life, cultural influences, and societal structures
• Explores how archaeologists uncover, analyze, and interpret artifacts to reconstruct the past
• Investigates the relationship between material culture and the broader colonial context
• Highlights the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in archaeological research, combining historical records, anthropological theories, and scientific methods

Key Concepts and Terms

• Material culture: physical objects created, used, and discarded by people in the past, serving as tangible evidence of their lives and activities
• Artifact: any object made, modified, or used by humans, ranging from tools and ceramics to architectural remains and personal items
• Stratigraphy: the layering of archaeological deposits over time, with older layers typically found deeper than more recent ones
• Context: the relationship between artifacts and their surrounding environment, including their spatial distribution and association with other objects or features
• Typology: the classification of artifacts based on shared characteristics, such as form, function, material, or decoration, to establish chronologies and cultural affiliations
• Seriation: a relative dating method that arranges artifacts in a sequence based on changes in their style or frequency over time
• Absolute dating: techniques that provide specific dates or date ranges for artifacts or features, such as radiocarbon dating or dendrochronology (tree-ring dating)

Colonial Household Basics

• Colonial households varied in size, structure, and composition depending on factors such as region, social class, and cultural background
• Typically consisted of a nuclear family unit (parents and children) but could also include extended family members, servants, or enslaved individuals
• Houses were often multifunctional spaces, serving as both living quarters and work areas for domestic production and craft activities
• Spatial organization of houses reflected social hierarchies and gender roles, with separate spaces for public and private activities, as well as for masters and servants or enslaved people
• Household furnishings and possessions varied based on wealth and status, with more affluent households displaying imported or high-quality items as symbols of prestige
• Foodways (the cultural practices surrounding food production, preparation, and consumption) were an integral part of colonial household life and varied based on region, season, and cultural traditions
• Colonial households were not static entities but evolved over time in response to changing economic, social, and political circumstances

Artifacts: What We Find and Why It Matters

• Ceramics: fragments of pottery vessels used for cooking, serving, and storage, providing insights into food preparation, dining practices, and trade networks
  • Types of ceramics found in colonial sites include earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain, each with distinct properties and origins
  • Decorative styles and maker's marks on ceramics can help date the artifacts and identify their place of manufacture
• Glass: remnants of bottles, windows, and other glass objects, indicating the presence of imported goods, architectural features, and lighting methods
• Metal: objects made of iron, copper, lead, or other metals, such as nails, tools, hardware, and personal items (buttons, buckles, or jewelry), reflecting construction techniques, craft production, and personal adornment
• Faunal remains: animal bones and shells discarded after meals, providing information on diet, food procurement strategies, and butchery practices
  • Analysis of faunal remains can reveal the types of animals consumed, their relative abundance, and any patterns of selection or avoidance
• Botanical remains: preserved plant materials, such as seeds, nuts, or charred wood, offering insights into the use of plants for food, fuel, medicine, or construction
• Architectural debris: bricks, mortar, plaster, or roofing materials that indicate the presence, layout, and construction methods of buildings or structures
• Artifacts provide tangible evidence of the activities, preferences, and living conditions of colonial households, allowing archaeologists to reconstruct past lifeways and cultural practices

Daily Life in Colonial Homes

• Domestic activities were central to colonial household life, with women typically responsible for tasks such as cooking, cleaning, childcare, and textile production
• Food preparation involved the use of hearths, ovens, and a variety of cooking vessels and utensils, with meals often consisting of locally-sourced ingredients supplemented by imported goods
• Textile production, including spinning, weaving, and sewing, was a common household activity, with homespun cloth used for clothing, bedding, and other domestic textiles
• Households often engaged in small-scale craft production, such as blacksmithing, carpentry, or pottery-making, to meet their own needs or to generate additional income
• Children contributed to household labor from an early age, assisting with chores, learning skills, and receiving education (either at home or in local schools) as they grew older
• Religious practices were an important aspect of daily life, with households participating in prayer, Bible reading, and church attendance, as well as observing religious holidays and rituals
• Leisure activities, such as reading, writing, music, or games, were enjoyed during moments of rest and relaxation, although the nature and extent of these activities varied by social class and cultural background
• Social interactions, both within the household and with neighbors or community members, were facilitated through visits, shared meals, and participation in local events or celebrations

Cultural Influences on Colonial Households

• Colonial households were shaped by the cultural backgrounds of their inhabitants, reflecting the diverse origins of settlers from Europe, Africa, and the Americas
• English colonial households often followed the architectural styles and domestic practices of their homeland, with adaptations to suit the local environment and available resources
  • Examples include the use of timber-framed construction, central hearths, and multi-purpose rooms (hall and parlor plan)
• Dutch colonial households in the Northeast (New York) incorporated elements of Dutch architecture and material culture, such as brick construction, decorative tiles, and distinctive pottery styles
• French colonial households in the Mississippi Valley and Gulf Coast regions were influenced by French building traditions and foodways, with a greater emphasis on outdoor living spaces and the use of native ingredients in cooking
• Spanish colonial households in the Southwest and Florida reflected the architectural styles and cultural practices of Spain and Mexico, with features such as adobe construction, enclosed courtyards, and the use of ceramic vessels for food preparation and storage
• African influences were present in the households of enslaved individuals and free people of color, as seen in the use of African-derived pottery styles, foodways, and spiritual practices
  • Examples include the use of colonoware (hand-built, low-fired pottery) and the incorporation of African crops and cooking techniques into colonial diets
• Native American influences were also evident in some colonial households, particularly in frontier regions where settlers interacted and traded with indigenous communities, adopting elements of their material culture and subsistence practices

Archaeological Methods for Studying Colonial Sites

• Survey: the systematic search for and recording of archaeological sites in a given area, using techniques such as surface inspection, shovel testing, or remote sensing
• Excavation: the controlled removal and documentation of archaeological deposits, following stratigraphic layers and recording the precise location and context of artifacts and features
  • Excavation methods include hand troweling, screening of soil, and the use of grid systems to maintain spatial control
• Artifact analysis: the examination and interpretation of recovered artifacts, including their identification, classification, and quantification, to understand their function, chronology, and cultural significance
  • Techniques include visual inspection, microscopic analysis, and various scientific methods (e.g., chemical composition analysis or residue analysis)
• Spatial analysis: the study of the distribution and relationships of artifacts and features within a site, using methods such as mapping, GIS (Geographic Information Systems), and statistical analysis to identify patterns and interpret site structure and organization
• Comparative analysis: the comparison of artifacts and site data with those from other colonial sites or regions, as well as with historical records and ethnographic accounts, to identify similarities, differences, and broader cultural patterns
• Conservation and curation: the processes of cleaning, stabilizing, and preserving recovered artifacts, as well as cataloging and storing them in a manner that ensures their long-term preservation and accessibility for future research and interpretation
• Public outreach and education: the dissemination of archaeological findings and interpretations to the public through various means, such as site tours, exhibits, publications, or digital media, to promote understanding and appreciation of colonial history and archaeology

Connecting the Dots: Artifacts and Colonial Society

• Artifacts serve as tangible links between the material world of colonial households and the broader social, economic, and cultural contexts in which they existed
• Patterns in artifact types, styles, and distributions can reveal information about social stratification, wealth disparities, and cultural identities within colonial communities
  • For example, the presence of imported luxury goods (porcelain, glassware) in some households may indicate higher social status or participation in global trade networks
• Differences in artifact assemblages between households can shed light on the diverse experiences and living conditions of various groups, such as enslaved Africans, indentured servants, or Native American laborers
• Changes in artifact types or frequencies over time can reflect shifts in colonial society, such as the increasing availability of mass-produced goods, the adoption of new technologies, or the impact of historical events (wars, economic depressions)
• Comparative analysis of artifacts from different regions or cultural groups can illuminate the ways in which colonial societies interacted, influenced each other, and evolved over time
  • For instance, the presence of Native American pottery in colonial households may indicate trade relationships, cultural exchange, or the persistence of indigenous traditions
• Ultimately, the study of artifacts from colonial households provides a window into the daily lives, cultural practices, and social dynamics of the people who lived in these spaces, contributing to a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of colonial America