Under the direction of Dr. Randall McGuire, Mr. Brian Thomas will collect data for his doctoral dissertation. He will analyze material from the historic period site of the Hermitage Plantation in Tennessee. This was the home of Andrew Jackson. The work itself will involve analyzing artifacts and faunal remains recovered from three slave cabins which are located at varying distances from the main plantation house. Historic documents indicate that status differences existed not only between "masters" and "slaves", but also among the latter group. Differences in job were related to both social and economic status. Social position was reflected in residential distance as well. Given the fairly controlled context, it will be possible to examine different classes of artifacts - ceramics, personal belongings, faunal and floral remains - and determine how well power and status relations are reflected in their distribution across the site. This research is important for several reasons. Much anthropological archaeology is directed at the reconstruction of past social systems and the examination of status differentiation. Mr. Thomas' provides a context to evaluate analytic assumptions which anthropologists widely hold and to test the efficacy of specific techniques which are used in social reconstruction. It will also assist in the training of a promising young scientist.
