On 26 September 2018, ASHA held a workshop on Artefact Identification and Analysis as part of the 2018 ASHA/AIMA Conference in Parramatta.
There was a good turnout of members, students and non-members with 25 attending each session.
Specialists talked on the artefact categories that are often, if not always, found during excavations. These categories also have the dubious reputation of being the hardest to catalogue because of their huge range of functions, fabrics, decor, manufacturing techniques etc.
This workshop also provided an ideal opportunity to showcase one of Australia’s earliest potters, Thomas Ball, so we can recognise, and therefore verify the presence of Ball’s work on sites in and around Sydney.
All presenters arrived laden with interesting artefacts that helped demonstrate the identification technique with a hands-on approach.
Jeanne Harris held two sessions and talked on the topics of ceramics and glass.
Robyn Stocks talked about two categories close to her heart, miscellaneous and building materials.
Mary Casey and Bernadette McCall prepared and presented a session on identifying Thomas Ball pottery.
Each presenter has provided ASHA with their guides on their chosen topics and these resources are now available to ASHA members.
The guides can be found at
https://asha-2015.worldsecuresystems.com/secure_zone/workshop-resources
The workshop was extremely interesting and enjoyable and there are plans for more workshops heading your way. Watch this space.