When we think of archeology, the first thing that pops into our head is Egypt. There is a lot more to archeology than Egypt, ever though I have to admit it holds a certain allure that I can't quite define. Archeology takes place in every country of this globe, whether the country is young or old and our country, the U.S., is relatively new and therefore young. If one doesn't count American Indian relics and artifacts then one is lucky to find something that is a couple of hundred years old. There have been artifacts found that are much older like the stones presumed to be Chinese anchor stones, off the coast of California and certain Viking remnants, but these are quite rare. Most of our most interesting finds are about 200 years old with some being older and many be newer. This does not take into account prehistoric finds that really have nothing to do with the age of a country.

Did you know that archeology is conducted in many of our national parks? I guess you did after reading the title of this article, but before you read that, I bet you never gave it much of a thought. Lets get a little more info on Cuyahoga Valley National Park and see what they are finding:

Cuyahoga Valley National Park is located between Akron and Cleveland Ohio. The park was founded in 1974. The park contains numerous prehistoric and historic archeological sites along with ruins of historical significance. Some of the historic items relate to the former Ohio and Erie Canal which were once thriving passageways to the west.

The following text is from The National Park Service:

Many archeological investigations have been conducted within Cuyahoga Valley National Park, which have produced an impressive and informative assemblage of materials. The page features a small sample of this assemblage, collected during investigations at the Lock 38 Structure and Frazee House archeological sites.

(Click anywhere in the text to see the picture)

Flatware

The type of flatware pictured here was in common use from the 1770s through the first few decades of the nineteenth century. This pattern, known as the "fiddle" pattern is characterized by the shape at the end of the stem and almost always contains "shoulders," the small protrusions near the spoon bowl or tines of the fork (fork not shown).

Coins

Coins dating from the early nineteenth century to modern day have been found during archeological investigations at the park. Many interesting examples are included in the collection. Some of the types represented include U.S. large cents, two cent pieces, three cent pieces, nickels, half dimes, and dimes. The collection also includes several trade and business tokens from the mid-1800s. Canadian coins and tokens from this time period are also represented in the collection.

Marbles

A variety of handmade clay marbles were produced between the mid-1700s and the 1930s. China marbles were probably introduced in the 1840s. The unglazed pinwheel china marble shown here was manufactured between 1846 and 1870. Benningtons, distinguishable by the circular raised spots formed where the marbles touched one another while being heated in kilns, were produced in Germany from about 1870 to 1910. Handmade glass marbles were first produced in Germany, and later in the United States, in the late 1840s and continued until the early part of the twentieth century. These include various types such as the mica, banded transparent and divided core swirls located in this display. World War I and the invention of marble producing machinery in America effectively ended the handmade marble industry. Many of the companies that produced machine-made marbles were located in Akron, Ohio, just south of the park. The American marble industry began to falter in the 1950s, as inexpensive cats-eye marbles imported from Japan became popular.

The plan view provides an even perspective of all marbles pictured, and the oblique view shows greater detail of particular specimens.

Glass Bottles

Glass bottles are a common occurrence on historic sites and often provide valuable information. Bottles can be dated in several ways: first, by information on a label or on the glass itself, and second by analyses of the manufacturing process. The lips of bottles made from before 1870 were often crudely applied and show irregularities. Sometime around 1870 it became common practice to shape the bottle opening with a lipping tool, resulting in a more uniform finish. In addition, most bottles made prior to 1860 can also be identified by the presence of a pontil mark on the base.

Colorless glass bottle with a bead finish formed by a lipping tool (contents: perfume), and clear glass cologne bottle, formed in a cup-bottom mold, and finish with a lipped tool for a cork closure.

Clear glass panel bottle with round shoulders.

Oval shaped colorless glass bottle. Finish made by a lipping tool, indicating manufacture between 1860 and 1915.

Aqua-colored "Turlington" bottle. Early 19th century American-made copy of the 18th century English bottle (patent granted to R. Turlington in 1754). Contents: medicine ("Balsom of Life").

Tumblers

Colorless glass drinking tumblers were particularly abundant at the "Lock 38 Structure," which served as a tavern from 1835 through the 1840s, and perhaps longer.

Derbyshire Stoneware

The type of stoneware shown here dates to between 1800 and about 1875. The ware is salt-glazed, and the irregular brown exterior color comes from the differential reaction of the clay to firing. The interior of the ware is often light brown to buff in color, while the core is gray, or closer to the unfired color of the clay. The ware type was used most frequently for various types of bottles, preserve jars and jugs. This ink bottle dates to around 1860.

Shell-edged Pearlware

Shell-edged decoration became the most common type of decoration found on pearlware and was produced between about 1780 and 1840. Colors applied to the rims were usually blue or green and less commonly, red. Shell-edging is most commonly found on flat items, such as plates and saucers. The earlier examples of this decoration are generally well painted, with brush strokes drawn from the edge, creating a feathery appearance (see the blue-rimmed example in this image). Later, post-1800 examples commonly display brush strokes made lateral to the edge, which produce a stripe (see the green-rimmed example).

Tobacco Pipes

The first European clay pipes were manufactured sometime around 1590 in England, influenced in their shape by Native American pipes. Clay pipes were quite inexpensive during the nineteenth century, costing as little as fifty cents per gross. Decoration of pipes was highly variable, as illustrated by the variety represented here. Their fragility and low cost contributed to a relatively high rate of discard, so clay pipes are commonly found at historic archeological sites.

Transfer Print Ceramics

Transfer printing began in England in the 1750s and continues to be used today. Designs from Chinese porcelain were often copied or adapted by craftsmen who engraved copper plates from which the designs were transferred via ink and special paper to ceramic objects. Early transfer-printed wares are usually printed in blue. A variety of colors such as light blue, red, black, brown and purple were added after 1830. Romantic and Historic scenes were usually pictured on transfer printed vessels with fashion changing every decade or two.