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Summary:
Cited in virtually every colonial-era site study of North America, A Guide to Artifacts of Colonial America holds a place of honor among historical archaeologists. It is a classic, highly sought-after handbook for the professional archaeologist, museum curator, antiques dealer, collector, or social historian. Though first published more than thirty years ago, Ivor Noel Hume's guide continues to be the most useful and accurate reference on the identification of artifacts recovered from Anglo-American colonial sites.
This edition contains a new preface, updated references, and corrections based on recent scholarship, in addition to the original 102 photographs and line drawings. With a list of forty-three categories, including buttons, cutlery, stoneware, and firearms, collectors and curators of early American artifacts will find this book insightful, informative, and indispensable.
An acclaimed archaeologist and historian, Noël Hume understands the interests of both professionals and enthusiasts. He manages to combine out-of-the-ordinary information with a lively presentation. His extensive knowledge and experience make this richly detailed text communicate something beyond the facts--the reality of other times, places, and cultures.
Customer Reviews:
Average Customer Rating:
An Archaeological Classic!
Customer Rating:
"A Guide to Artifacts of Colonial America" by Ivor Noel-Hume is one of the great 20th century handbooks for both historical archaeologists and the lay public. Hume, an Englishman who was the chief archaeologist for Colonial Williamsburg for many years, was eminently qualified to address this subject, having led some of the most important digs in North America - including that conducted at Carter's Grove near the James River (which resulted in the single best archaeological book I've ever read - "Martin's Hundred" - a book that reads like a detective story). While this guide is a bit dated now, it is still the first book archaeologists pick up when they're having trouble identifying their colonial artifacts. And although an entire encyclopedia could be written on the subject today, Hume - the Father of Historical Archaeology - is still the only one that has addressed this subject who has written for both laymen and professional archaeologists. Plus, he included such a wide variety of artifacts, and the book is so portable! This is a great book by a great archaeologist. I highly recommend it, as well as everything else he's ever written, which is saying a lot.
Our Heritage in Things Discovered.
Customer Rating:
This book is a treasure trove of other times and other customs in our country's early history. With the era of historical archeology, the diverstiy of Colonial America was discovered along the Eastern Seaboard. Some of the items the Colonials in America depended upon were carried with them as they settled in other parts of this country. They can be found in museums from New York to San Francisco. The first attempt to make porcelian was launched in the fall of 1769. The blue willow design was shipped to China for use on export porcelain, and the first products to arrived back in England with this perrenial willow pattern was in 1792. I grew up thinking that China was better than what the average American used on their dinner tables.
European coins, intended as mathematical aids were traded to the Indians who strung them onto necklaces. There was a large one0cent piece slightly smaller than the English halfpenny used until thr first American copper cents appeared in 1787 and had been designed by Benjamin Franklin. The first products of the official U. S. mint did not appear until 1792, In 1859, the Indian-head cent was used until 1909 when the Lincoln penny took its place. It now costs 3 to 5 cents to manufacture a penny. Foreign silver was popular in the 1700s from France and Spain.
Indian artifacts were discovered at Townsend in the Smoky Mountains and a museum recently opened to show off what was dug up. It is fascintating.
Great reference for Early American artifacts
Customer Rating:
Ivor Noel Hume is in a unique spot, able to identify, classify and describe colonial artifacts, like no other. This book is a great reference for identification of historic archaeologists and artifact collectors. From the mundane to the pompous, it is all there. Highly recommend!
Colonial America Guide
Customer Rating:
I loved this book. This was my first time reviewing this book and living in an 1830s era home, I find many artifacts out in the yard. This really helps me date them.
A must have for any archaeologist!
Customer Rating:
This book is a seminal work and a necessity for any archaeologist interested in or focusing on the historic period. While this book is mainly concerned with British colonial items, such items are found in almost any historic period site no matter the origin of the site's inhabitants. The ceramic section is the most valuable part of the book, but there is also a lot of information about other categories of artifacts. Collectors will also find this book useful in identifying items of British origin.
The only drawback to this book is its paucity of illustrations and photos, especially color plates. There are photos/illustrations (black and white only) for selected items (especially ceramics), but much of the text would have been more informative if examples were included.
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