Recognizing & Interpreting Historical Materials
Are you a professional archaeologist, current student, historian, or individual just interested in learning more about historical archaeology and how to recognize and interpret historical materials? The Historical Archaeology Advisory Committee (HAAC), Arizona State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), and Arizona Preservation Foundation (APF) are presenting a free webinar series... and you are invited!
Insulators & Ammunition
February 17, 2022
View the recording on the Arizona Preservation YouTube channel
This presentation provides a summary of development of glass and ceramic insulators, as well as ammunition in the late historical period (ca. 1865–1972). These artifact types are quite common on archaeological sites and other historical resources in Arizona (i.e., buildings, structures, and objects).
Formerly known as the “Baby State,” Arizona’s rural and urban landscapes took shape in this period. Insulators were essential components of early telegraph lines, especially in the peak period of railroad development. With the success of telephone service and electrical power through the course of the twentieth century, insulators were manufactured in a variety of styles, reflecting their function and on a variety of utility and transmission lines.
Although archaeologists rarely find evidence of firearms on archaeological surveys, spent cartridges and shotshells are much more commonly documented. The challenge for archaeologists is to determine if ammunition documented on sites is affiliated with the site or with later hunting or recreational activities.
If you have questions about this webinar, contact Margaret Hangan here.
Future topics
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March 24, 2022 ~ Tools-Hardware-Tack & Personal Items
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June 2022 ~ Two tours to the NAU APEX Railroad Camp Field School Project in Tusayan, AZ. Dates and sign-up process will be announced in advance.
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July 21, 2022 ~ Glass & Bottles
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August 25, 2022 ~ Can Technology
Thomas Jones, Presenter
Tom has more than 26 years of experience in archeological investigations, historical artifact analysis, historical research and National Register nominations, documentation for HABS/HAER, and historical building inventories. Tom meets the professional requirements for Historian under the Secretary of Interior Standards. He has contributed to all forms of archaeological reports and has authored and presented papers for professional and avocational audiences. He sits on the Historical Archaeology Advisory Committee (HAAC), and was a long-time member of the Phoenix Historic Preservation Commission and Governor’s Archaeology Advisory Commission. As a member of HAAC, Tom assisted the Arizona State Historic Preservation Office in the development of inventory forms for historical in-use structures, as well as a field guide for recording structures and preparing the forms. He is intimately familiar with the documentation and evaluation of historical in-use structures.
