A Guide to the Artifacts of Colonial America [Paperback]

Ivor Noel Hume (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0812217713 | ISBN-13: 978-0812217711 | Publication Date: May 18, 2001

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.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"An invaluable compendium of information on identifying and dating objects commonly recovered from Anglo-American sites predating 1800."—Archaeology Magazine

From the Inside Flap

Here's an archaeologist's experience in the field and the museum--part history, part memoir, part buyer's guide. This book is an indispensable guide for the historian, the collector, the curious. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: University of Pennsylvania Press (May 18, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0812217713
• ISBN-13: 978-0812217711
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #336,513 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Scholarly presentation, April 22, 2004

By 

nada - See all my reviews

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This review is from: A Guide to the Artifacts of Colonial America (Paperback)

This book is loaded with info on various early artifacts but is mainly for those involved in field work and academia. I wish I had looked a little more closely before buying it. What I really wanted was a pictorial reference with plenty of colored photos. The writing is highly detailed as you would expect for a scholarly reference. There are line drawings and b/w photos but no color plates. Most helpful for professionals involved in the excavation process and for museum curators, etc. However those interested in a general, mostly pictorial guide to early colonial artifacts should look elsewhere.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must have for any archaeologist!, September 23, 2005

By 

K. Kennedy "Archeologue" (Florida USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Guide to the Artifacts of Colonial America (Paperback)

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.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Archaeologist's Friend, June 24, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Guide to Artifacts of Colonial America (Paperback)

I have found this book extremely useful in ID'ing artifacts in the field and the lab. It contains historical background on all the major types of artifacts you'd expect to find on an historic site, and many facts on uncommon ones as well. It's organized alphabetically so it's easy to use, too. If you can get your hands on a copy, I'd recommend it!