Publication Date

2016

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Mehrer, Mark

Degree Name

M.A. (Master of Arts)

Legacy Department

Department of Anthropology

LCSH

Gold mines and mining; Prehistoric--United States Virgin Islands--Saint John--Analysis; Metal-work--United States Virgin Islands--Saint John--Analysis; Excavations (Archaeology)--United States Virgin Islands--Saint John--Analysis; Archaeology

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to examine the origin, manufacturing technique, function, and meaning of metals used during the twelfth and thirteenth centuries on the island of St. John, United States Virgin Islands. This project focuses on two metal artifacts recovered during National Park Service excavations conducted between 1998 and 2001 at a shoreline indigenous site located on Cinnamon Bay. These objects currently represent two of only three metal artifacts reported from the entire ancient Lesser Antilles. Chemical and physical analyses of the objects were completed with nondestructive techniques including binocular stereomicroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, and particle-induced X-ray emission spectrometry with assistance from laboratories located at Northern Illinois University, Beloit College, Hope College and The Field Museum. This data will be combined with contextual site data and compared to other metal objects recovered throughout the ancient Caribbean.

Comments

Advisors: Mark Mehrer.||Committee members: Luis Antonio Curet; Leila Porter; Kenneth Wild.

Extent

113 pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

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