You brush away a layer of fine silt and see the unmistakable purple glint of amethyst glass—a chemical signature of sun-exposed manganese that dates the fragment precisely between 1880 and 1915. In historical archaeology, glass isn't just refuse; it is one of the most reliable chronometric markers we have for the industrial era.

The Chronology of Glass

The "Glass" template is built for the professional researcher who needs to transform a field of broken shards into a quantified dataset. It standardizes the capture of diagnostic features that define the age and function of an artifact. By tracking the Project Number, Site Number, and the specific Recorder, the system ensures that every entry is anchored within a professional chain of custody.

Taxonomy of Manufacture

The core of the system lies in identifying how the glass was made. The Manufacture Method field includes specialized options that are critical for dating:

  • Mechanical Evolution: Distinguishing between an Automatic Bottle Machine product and a Semi-Automatic one allows for tight chronological sequencing.
  • The Artisan's Mark: Identifying an Applied Lip or a Mouth Blown bottle identifies pre-machine age production, often indicating a 19th-century context.
  • The Color Spectrum: The extensive Color multichoice field—ranging from Aqua and Cobalt to Straw (Selenium)—captures the chemical additives used by different glasshouses during specific eras.

Spatial Distribution and Density

Artifacts mean very little without their spatial context. The template captures UTMs for every concentration, along with an Inventory Type classification (Site, Feature, or Locus). By calculating the Density/m² and total Count, researchers can identify patterns of consumption and disposal across a landscape. This allows for the visualization of "refuse clusters" that might indicate the location of a former kitchen, a tavern, or a high-traffic trade route.

Power Feature: Multi-Select Categorization

The use of Memento’s multichoice fields for Color and Manufacture Method is a significant efficiency gain in the field. Instead of typing redundant descriptions, recorders can simply tap the relevant attributes. Back at the research facility, you can group your library by these fields to see the distribution of "Amethyst" glass fragments across multiple features instantly. It turns a collection of isolated shards into a searchable, statistical archive of historical industry.