Editor's Note: This is the first of two posts inspired by this year's Summer Olympics. This week, it's an equestrian-inspired post from Archaeologist Laura Galke, who briefly looks at some of the ornaments found on 18th century horse tack. What an impressive sight the Washingtons made as they rode their horses with bridles and straps embellished … Continue reading Show Horse: How Colonial Horse and Rider Looked Their Best
artifacts
Video: Inside the Archaeology Lab – Mending with Archival Glue
In this video, we discuss the importance of using archival glue to mend artifacts and demonstrate the process used to make this special glue. For information about the safe use of these chemicals, visit http://www.collectioncare.org/MSDS/b72MSDS.pdf
Video: Inside the Archaeology Lab – ‘Vesselization’
In this video, we show you how archaeologists piece together artifacts in order to learn about the object and, most importantly, the people who used the object.
These Are A Few Of My Favorite (Broken) Things: Cobalt Blue Decanter Stopper
Archaeologists are somewhat unique in their appreciation for all things broken, mostly due to the coveted information discarded items can tell us about those who died long ago. However, occasionally a fragment is unearthed which is both informative and beautiful. Such is the case with a lovely cobalt blue decanter stopper excavated on the grounds … Continue reading These Are A Few Of My Favorite (Broken) Things: Cobalt Blue Decanter Stopper
Lives & Legacies: The Exhibit
Want to see "in real life" the 18th century ceramic fruit dish we wrote about last August? You can see it and the matching sherds excavated by archaeologists on your next visit to George Washington's Ferry Farm. The dish sits inside the Ferry Farm visitor center in a museum display case now dedicated to Lives & Legacies. In this … Continue reading Lives & Legacies: The Exhibit
Video: Inside the Archaeology Lab – Labeling Artifacts
Archaeologists spend much more of their time working to determine the significance of an object than actually finding the object through excavation. This analytical work is done in an archaeology lab, where t is vital to keep the artifacts organized. This video shows how artifacts are labeled to help make sure nothing gets lost. Learn … Continue reading Video: Inside the Archaeology Lab – Labeling Artifacts
Video: Tricks of the Trade – Archaeology Lab Edition
Sometimes, it can be a challenge to precisely identify an artifact. When faced with this challenge, archaeologists working in the lab put their five senses to work and call upon some interesting 'tricks of the trade' to make those difficult identifications. Learn more about archaeology and being an archaeologist during Archaeology Day at Ferry Farm on … Continue reading Video: Tricks of the Trade – Archaeology Lab Edition
Masonic Pipe in 3D
Recently, a 3D image of a smoking pipe was added to the Virtual Curation Lab, an online project of Virginia Commonwealth University. You can view rotate, zoom, and manipulate the image by clicking the photo above or by clicking here. The smoking pipe was discovered within the fill of the main cellar of the Washington family … Continue reading Masonic Pipe in 3D
Payment Tokens… Of a Different Kind
During excavations around and under Kenmore’s 19th century portico in the early 2000s, archaeologists discovered several small metal disks. Some disks were significantly corroded but a few still showed markings clearly. They were stamped with the words “Braxton Mason & Co” as well as “1 day” and on another disk “5”. The disks had oval-shaped … Continue reading Payment Tokens… Of a Different Kind
Tallio! Fox Hunting at Christmas
Although Fielding Lewis certainly built a home capable of hosting the elaborate Christmas celebrations popular in 18th century Virginia, Historic Kenmore probably never saw occasions on such a lavish scale, with the possible exception of the family’s first Christmas in the house in December 1775. If the family hosted the traditional Christmas celebration, Fielding and … Continue reading Tallio! Fox Hunting at Christmas
Lives & Legacies 