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Thesis
Home Is Where the Artifacts Are: An analysis of a 19th century cabin at Arcadia Mill in Milton, Florida
University of West Florida Libraries
Master of Arts (MA), University of West Florida
2018
Appears in Arcadia Mill Archaeological Site
Abstract
The Arcadia Mill industrial complex of northwest Florida was once a thriving commercial enterprise that included over 100 enslaved individuals. In the southern uplands overlooking the industrial complex was the Simpson family "Big House" and a small population of domestic slaves. These slaves are scarcely documented in the historical record and little is known about their daily lives. This research is focused on a double pen cabin located in close proximity to the Big House and attempts to extract information from a portion of the site that has undergone both disturbance and reuse over a period of 170 years. Both shovel and auger test samples across the project area were analyzed to offer an updated interpretation of the structure. Archaeological evidence supports the presence of a swept front yard, though the boundaries of the space could not be conclusively determined. Using a Geographic Information System (GIS) statistical analysis to isolate artifacts manufactured in the early 19th century, multiple activity areas within the yard were identified. Artifact distribution maps revealed a correlation between activity and the Big House viewshed. This finding combined with a ceramic analysis and consideration of landscape theory is used to assert that the original occupants of the cabin were likely domestic slaves who serviced the Big House.
Details
- Title
- Home Is Where the Artifacts Are
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Contributors
- Ramie A Gougeon (Committee Member) - University of West Florida, College of Arts, Social Sciences, and HumanitiesAdrianne S Walker (Committee Member)Brian R Rucker (Committee Member)William B Lees (Chair) - University of West Florida, Anthropology
- Publisher
- University of West Florida Libraries
- Format
- pdf
- Number of pages
- 133
- Copyright
- Permission granted to the University of West Florida Libraries to digitize and/or display this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires the permission of the copyright holder.
- Identifiers
- 99380090726606600
- Academic Unit
- Anthropology
- Language
- English
- Awarding Institution
- Anthropology; University of West Florida; Master of Arts (MA)
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Arts (MA), University of West Florida