Dr. James Gibb will discuss the archaeological findings of small landholders.
Archaeologists commonly encounter the remains of small houses, often only 600 square feet or less, in the midst of naturally reforested tracts. Most of the remains lie directly on the surface, not yet covered by slowly developing soils. Buildings constructed of inexpensive materials often salvaged from other sites, and the unprepossessing stove parts, tea kettles, and unadorned plates suggest poor, socially isolated households. Recent finds, however, suggest extraordinary connections with national and international events. In this presentation, I explore the research potential of these often overlooked, dismissed archaeological sites.