Lab work in Archaeology
Week five in Archaeology 2100 we covered the topics of Taphonomy, Experimental Archaeology and Ethnoarchaeology. Taphonomy is the study of how natural processes contribute to the formation of archaeological sites. An example used was the growth of strangling fig trees in the Ta Prohm Temple in Cambodia and how their massive roots have actually altered the structure over the years. Experimental Archaeology refers to experiments designed to determine the archaeological correlates of human behavior. An example of this was the modern recreation of a seashell decorated grave marker used in old African American cemeteries in Florida. Finally, Ethnoarchaeology is the study of contemporary peoples to determine how human behavior is translated into the archaeological record. The example used was Lewis Binford's study of the modern Inuit and how their use of tools correspond to prehistoric Europeans. I found this example interesting because I actually had the opportunity to watch the Inupiat (Inuit people from the North Slope of Alaska) process a Bowfin Whale they had harvested. I was surprised that all off the tools (knifes, harpoons, etc.) were all modern tools, wrongly assuming they would still use the traditional tools of pre-European contact. However they still used the traditional Umiak kayaks to conduct the hunts which I thought was pretty amazing.
I missed out on the dig at Captain's Corner this weekend, instead attending my son's rifle competition in Tallahassee. I'm proud to announce that he scored 2nd overall, even against older and more experienced shooters. Since I'm writing this late, here in week 6 we conducted a lab where were able to clean artifacts. An interesting item I found was a old percussion cap from a muzzle loading rifle or musket. After doing some research, it appears the cap is probably Civil War era and would most likely have been used by both the Confederates and the Union. The cap had been fired, as evident from the splits on the side of the brass body, so it you be wild to know the context of the find. Was it a Union soldier from the sacking of St. Andrews? Was there a skirmish with local citizens while they were destroying the salt works? Was it a drunken soldier firing out into the bay in celebration of burning the town?
These are the two articles that I reviewed for this assignment:
Raising a Pint of Ale to Build Links to Ancient Cultures
Lucas, A. (2019, March 29) Raising a Pint of Ale to Build Links to Ancient Cultures https://news.viu.ca/raising-pint-ale-build-links-ancient-cultures
This article is right up my ally, being an amateur brewer myself. It follows an Ethnoarchaeology research project to recreate beers from ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Scandinavia. The researchers paired with Dogfish Head Brewing (one of my favorite IPA's) useing ancient recipes and the analysis of residues found in brewing containers to recreate beers that would have been consumed 7000 years ago. Their research has provided insight to the impact small-scale home brewing had on communities and the social make up of societies.
I found it interesting that ancient brewing was normally conducted by women, where modern home brewing is primarily a male hobby. I have not made beer in a while, only because Bay County lacks any sort of brewery supply store. I have been crafting mead recently which is one of the oldest forms of alchoholic beverage crafted by man, dating back over 7000 years B.C. Funny enough it is also one of the easiest to make without any fancy ingredients and equipment. You only need water, honey and yeast. I currently have two experimental recipes aging, a Cranberry mead and a molasses and honey mead.
How an Archaeological Experiment Revealed California’s Ancient Past
Goldfield, A. (2018, August 14) How an Archaeological Experiment Revealed California's Ancient Past https://news.viu.ca/raising-pint-ale-build-links-ancient-cultures
This article follows an archaeologist that is studying the technologically advanced Nicolenos, that inhabited San Nicolas Island, CA as early as 6000 years ago. They used abalone shells to create fish hooks that were used to harvest sea life in the thriving kelp forests of Southern California. Using experimental archeology to create tools to replicate the process of making these fish hooks, the researcher made an important discovery by accident. Since the dust from the abalone shell can get into your lungs and cause you to choke, the researcher wet the shell to reduce the dust. This one act led to the explanation of why there was particular staining on actual tools used for the process.
When I was in the Coast Guard, we would conduct counter-narcotics missions out of San Clemente Island that is located just south of San Nicolas. Both islands are currently owned by the US Navy, and San Nicolas is now a top secret weapons testing site for the Navy. Even our unit was not allowed onto the island.
Experimental Archaeology
I would like to create an experimental archaeology program using prehistoric methods for fishing here in St. Andrews Bay. Beyond crafting fishing hooks and using bait, I would like to experiment with ancient fish trap building, net making, and crafting projectiles. Growing up in the Carolina's we learned about indigenous people using the process of weirs to funnel and trap fish at the mouth of a stream or creek as a primary means of fishing. Even though I have not seen anything about the process being used in NW Florida, I would like to try it to determine if it would have been successful in this region. The process would include using stakes to create a barrier across a small waterway, building a funnel of sticks a little ways up stream that allows fish to enter but not escape. Then wait for high tide, when the fish move upstream, and hang netting across the opening and funnel to trap fish that are swimming down stream when the tide recedes.
Ethnoarcheology Study
Another one of my hobbies is cooking, especially barbecue. Even though Indigenous people have been cooking meat over open pits for thousands of years, it was the mash up of Indigenous, African, and European cultures in the Caribbean in the 16th through 20th centuries that transformed BBQ to what we know today. This mashup introduced different meat animals (pig, cow, chicken) to the region, along with the spice and heat of African and local peppers and spices, along with the cooking styles of all three cultures. The result has led to Jamaican Jerk, Cuban Mojo, Mexican Barbacoa, etc. But how did it start, what was BBQ like before this evolution, what was popular depending on the island? I would like to visit different islands in the Caribbean to study how current techniques and styles of BBQ for different regions mirror what may have been used hundreds of years ago. My final goal would be to recreate early BBQ recipes and traditions.
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