Date of Defense

4-21-2026

Date of Graduation

5-2026

Department

Anthropology

First Advisor

Britt Hartenberger

Second Advisor

Erika Hartley

Comments

Glass bottles and bottle fragments recovered from archaeological sites provide information on trade patterns and domestic consumption. During the eighteenth century, olive-green glass was generally used for wine and other alcohol, whereas blue-green glass was used for miscellaneous storage of medicines, cosmetics, condiments, and various liquids. In addition to colored containers, clear containers were also made which usually contained oils, creams, or medicine. However, it must be stated that clear containers and tableware were reserved for richer individuals due to the difficulty of creating clear glass in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.

By examining the color, shape, and thickness of glass bottle fragments recovered from the mission, garrison, and trading post of Fort St. Joseph, insights can be gained about their uses. Over twenty-five years of excavation at this eighteenth-century site have led to the recovery of a little over 3,000 glass fragments. An analysis of glass color distribution has shed light on patterns of everyday life, foodways, alcohol consumption, and trade goods amongst the six buildings identified thus far at the site. To further this study, a chemical analysis utilizing the method of Portable X-Ray Fluorescence (PXRF) is essential to ascertain the composition of glass fragments sampled from each building at the site. While most glass has similar bases of silica and alkali, the additives and trace elements used in different production locations can create a variety of glass compositions. XRF can allow us to better understand the elements within the glass, determine the origin of each type, and glean additional information about glass used and recovered from Fort St. Joseph.

Access Setting

Honors Thesis-Open Access

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Anthropology Commons

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