Artifacts in Focus: Dunham House Assemblage (April 1, 2020)

More from the ASNJ’s Dunham House archaeological excavation last summer! This is a selection of artifacts that date from the 18th century and are associated with the Samuel Barron household from 1750-1801.

They include (top row) two buckles, a pin, a bone fan blade for a lady's hand fan, a knife, a chisel, a fragment of Morgan Pottery stoneware with a watch spring motif and a tobacco pipe stem; (bottom row) North Midlands hollowware, white salt glazed stoneware plate, dipped white salted glazed stoneware mug, porcelain with landscape motif, manganese mottled mug, and tin glazed earthenware plate. 

The assemblage represents a mix of imported goods and locally produced ceramics. Items like the fan blade, also highlight a household of wealth. Pins, like the one in the image, were used to fasten clothing and paper together and represented the 18th-century equivalent of the modern-day paper clip and velcro. Buckles, like the two in the image, were abound in the 18th century and used to fasten pants, shoes, stockings, leather straps, satchels, luggage, etc. 

📸: Michael Gall

Artifacts in Focus: Bone Needle Case (January 22, 2020)

This bone needle case was recovered from a sub-floor pit in a c. 1690-1720s slave quarter/out-kitchen in Burlington County. It is decorated with repeating series of four incisions. The repetition of four has significant magical and spiritual meaning for several West African cultures, particularly those of the Kwa language cultures who were heavily exploited for enslavement. It likely served a divination purpose at the site as it was found in association with quartz crystal, quartz pebbles, and a copper spoon. A similar bone needle case was also recovered from a c. 1700-1730 slave quarter at Utopia in Virginia. The NJ bone needle case along with the identification of a subfloor pit and other artifacts found at the site more commonly in the Chesapeake region may speak to the sale of enslaved Africans from that area northwards to NJ.

📸: Photographed by Allison Gall

📩: Submitted by Adam Heinrich

> We want to see more! Photos of your artifacts can be submitted via direct message to our Facebook or Instagram accounts, or by email to asofnj@gmail.com. Please include a small text blurb to be featured with your photo if selected. We will select one each week to highlight on our social media platforms and our website.