Clay pipe research in Newfoundland: What works, what doesn’t and what more can be done?

Summary

Archaeologists in Newfoundland have been studying clay pipe bowls, makers’’ marks and stem fragments for decades. We all agree on one thing: when it comes to establishing the date range and intensity of occupation/activity, the clay tobacco pipe has few equals. However, some people engage in clay pipe research without questioning the established methodologies or recognizing their limitations. Others have successfully utilized clay pipes to investigate consumption patterns, trade, socioeconomic status, and ethnicity. The frequency and duration of English and French occupation in Newfoundland provides an additional opportunity to better understand the presence (and frequency) of French-made clay pipes in early modern North American assemblages. Far from being methodologically or theoretically exhausted, clay pipe research in the 21st century is nuanced, innovative and most importantly, moving beyond simply dating a site to comprehending the lives of those who once smoked.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for Historical Archaeology 2014   •
• Clay Tobacco Pipe Studies: Where Will the 21st century Bring Us?

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Society for Historical Archaeology

Record Identifiers

PaperId(s): SYM-39,01