Small Things Unforgotten

This collection contains the abstracts of the papers presented in the session entitled "Small Things Unforgotten," at the 84th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

Within burials of all time periods, there are small items deposited that are of clear importance to the identity of the individuals and provide information about more domestic, or mundane, activities. Interpretations often only provide cursory insights into these materials, thus further investigation and discussion of these smaller items is necessary. In the last few years, object biographies have grown increasingly complex with regards to the dichotomy between form and function. Beads, buckles, hinges, keys, and toilet-sets, to name a few items, are often counted and typed, then set aside. These items likely held multiple roles beyond function in the same way quality and type of mundane items today hold more than one message for the user/viewer. Off-brand shoes, sunglasses or purses may visually appear similar to the original more expensive version, but both versions would hold a different meaning and message. This session aims to reassess the meaning and role of smaller goods in burial deposits across a range of time periods and geographic regions.