A REEVALUATION OF THE JOHN ALDEN

ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE (DUX-HA-3)

Craig S. Chartier

July 2001

ABSTRACT

This report analyzes the archaeologically derived artifactual and architectural data gathered by Roland Robbins during his 1960 excavation at the John Alden site in Duxbury, Massachusetts and their subsequent interpretation by Mitch Mulholland in 1995. It is this authors belief that the architecture of the site has been mis-interpreted for the past 40 years and that past artifactual analysis has dated the deposits in the cellar hole too early. It is this authors belief that the site does represent the home of John Alden of the Mayflower, but that it did not look like the way it has been popularly architecturally interpreted and was, in fact, his home for most if not all of his life in Duxbury. This report does not seek to destroy beliefs concerning John and Priscilla Alden, but merely to gain a better and truer understanding of their lives as represented at this site.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABSTRACT

LIST OF TABLES

I. INTRODUCTION

II. CHAPTER 1: Typical Early to Mid-seventeenth Century Assemblage

A. Clay Tobacco Pipes

B. Ceramics

1. Earthenware

a. Redware

b. Borderware

c. West Country Wares

d. Tin-enameled

e. North Italian Red Marbelized Slipware

2. Stoneware

a. Frenchen and Westerwald

3. French Ceramics

III. CHAPTER 2: Recovered Artifact Assemblage

A. Clay Tobacco Pipes

B. Ceramics

1. North Devon Gravel Tempered Ware

2. Iberian Storage Jar

3. Buckley Ware

4. Westerwald Stoneware

C. Bottle Glass

D. Metal

IV. CHAPTER 3: Architectural Reinterpretation

V. CONCLUSION

REFERENCES