A Functional Classification for Artifacts from 19th and 20th Century Historical Sites

Abstract

Artifact classification systems derived primarily from prehistoric archaeology are generally based on the material of manufacture. Such classification systems not only are not suited to historical archaeology, but actually retard the analysis and result in reports that are difficult to use for comparative purposes. The use of a classification based on the artifact function is suggested and several previous schemes are evaluated. The classification system advocated here comes closer than previous attempts to the goal of mutually exclusive categories and comprehensive coverage of artifacts from 19th and 20th century sites. Examples are presented for each of the categories in the system.

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