Symbolism, Nationality, Identity and Gender as Interpreted from an Eighteenth Century Ring from French Colonial Context

Summary

Excavations in the 1970’s recovered a possible signet ring from plowzone context at Fort Ouiatanon, an 18th century fort constructed by the French in Indiana and later taken over by the British. The unusual symbolism exhibited by the ring, that of a man astride a fish or dolphin, invite a close study to determine its meaning. Research suggests that it represented the Dauphin of France, Louis XV, and by extension it likely belonged to a high-ranking male of the post.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• The Revelatory Power of an Artifact in Context   •
• Society for Historical Archaeology 2014

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Society for Historical Archaeology

Record Identifiers

PaperId(s): SYM-14,19