Slate

Slate is a type of metamorphic rock that is composed of fine-grained shale that has been subjected to high pressure and temperature. It is known for its durability, versatility, and natural beauty, which has made it a popular material for building and construction throughout history.

In the context of excavations of New England historic homes, slate has a number of significant uses and features that can provide valuable insights into the history and construction of these homes. For example, slate was often used as roofing material in New England, and the presence of slate shingles or tiles can help archaeologists and historians to determine the age and style of a home. In the image to the right, you can see the nail holes that likely affixed the slate pieces together on the roof of the home.

We also must note a construction technique that we have only found evidence of around Rhode Island, which involves stacking slate with mortar to form foundations and walls. This type of construction is visible in Brown’s historic, Rhode Island Hall, and we found this type of construction in the foundations of the Sack House, too. 

High-quality, finely-grained slate was often reserved for the homes of wealthy or influential individuals, while poorer households may have used lower-quality slate or other materials for their roofs.

Brick

During our excavations of the Sack House, we uncovered countless bricks, some cracked, others whole, and some still bonded to the mortar that stuck them to other bricks or other materials. 

Around the time of the construction of the Sack House, brick production began to shift away from hand molding towards mechanical methods of production. Given the consistent shape and size of many of the bricks uncovered from the Sack House, we may be able to presume that the bricks were not hand-molded, but rather mechanically produced. 

Bricks, when stamped with the producer, can help us retrace consumption networks in New England. Additionally, we can contrast the bricks found in the Sack House excavation with modern bricks or other centuries-old bricks to determine the quality of the Sack Home. 

Ceramic

Ceramic pieces from the excavation of the Sack House help us reconstruct the lives of those who lived in the Sack House, analyzing the types of vessels that were used for cooking or storage and the types of decorative objects in the home. Ceramic pieces can also help archaeologists understand the technology and trade networks of the past, as different types of ceramics can be traced back to specific production centers and cultural groups. 

Ceramics uncovered in the archaeological excavations provide insight into the social and economic status of the people who used them, as certain types of ceramics may have been reserved for the wealthy or for specific social activities. Ceramics help us understand the daily lives and practices of the people living in the Sack House, as they can provide evidence of the types of food that were consumed and the ways in which the inhabitants of the home decorated and used their living spaces.

Metal Nails

Nails, very much like ceramic and the other building materials found in bulk in the Sack House excavations, can glean insight into the construction techniques, materials, and quality of a home. Beyond that, nails open up an exploration of early North American trade networks. For many years after the European settlement of North America, nails were imported from Europe, until nail machines were invented in the United States to produce the nails locally.

We found nails of various shapes and sizes that aid in dating the construction of the Sack House. The nails can be identified as hand-wrought nails or early-machine-wrought nails.  Different nail sizes and types can help us understand the construction of the Sack House as well as any modifications that were made to the home.

Being metal, the nails from the Sack House excavation are typically heavily corroded and have major mineral deposits around them. 

Flat Glass

Just like brick and slate, flat glass, which most likely came from doors, windows, or cupboards of the home, can give us information about the construction of the Sack House. More thick, textured, or fogged glass, such as that commonly found in our excavations, may have been more expensive to procure, indicating the Sack’s high socioeconomic position.

Different types of glass can also lead us to inferences on the decoration of the Sack House.