History through material culture.
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Cherokee Syllabary Typeset- Washington County, AR
Indigenous linguist, Sequoyah, developed the syllabary writing system to communicate with families affected by 30 years of Cherokee removal.
18th Century Brass Saw Blade- Fort Michilimackinac, MI (Video)
The 18th century saw has rounded teeth, which suggests that the tool was used to cut materials like soapstone or catlinite.
Wattle and Daub- Nova Scotia, Canada
These fragments are the charred remnants of 17th century, Acadian wattle and daub structures built by early French settlers and colonized Mi'kmaq.
Great Basin Parching Tray- Connley Caves, OR
The parching tray is an example of Catlow Twine Basketry, in which the twine is spun and twisted in a Z-formation.
Cruciform- The Clearwater Site, AZ
Most cruciforms have one of two features in common: they were either broken and throw away or placed as grave goods in male burials.
Grub Hoe- Prince George's County, MD
Grub hoes were most likely used to break the soil for tobacco plants, the primary cash crop for Maryland-based plantations.
Archaic Donut Stones- San Diego, CA
Donut stones were large, perforated stones used as weights. In California, donut stones have been a lithic tradition since the Archaic period.
Wyckoff Wooden Water Pipe (3D)- East Lansing, MI
Michigan archaeologists exposed the remnants of a late 19th century, Wyckoff Wooden Water Pipe-an outdated system advertised as the cheaper alternative to iron piping
Canadian Pacific Railway Pin Insulator- Ontario, Canada
Glass pin insulators are remnants of electric transmission systems during the mid 19th century.