Archaeology Online

Chinese Export Porcelain flatware base with handpainted blue landscape scene.

Porcelain | Object #: 1883824

35 complete oat seeds.

Organic | Object #: 1885252

35 complete burnt oat seeds. Latin name: Avena sativa. Oats were brought to American by the Europeans early in the colonial period. They were extensively cultivated at Mount Vernon especially after 1760 when Washington transitioned from tobacco to cereal grains as the main cash crop. (Mcknight...

Cotton seed, two fragments

Organic | Object #: 1885302

Two burnt cotton seed fragments. Latin name: Gossypium. Cotton was a minor crop in Northern Virginia during Washington's time. These seeds suggest that Washington was growing cotton. The presence of cotton seeds in the House For Families may be evidence of processing cotton bolls for fibre...

Complete huckleberry seed.

Organic | Object #: 1885324

One complete burnt huckleberry seed. Latin name: Gaylussacia sp. Huckleberries are native to North America and wild huckleberries were gathered in Virginia. (McKnight, Justine W. 2015. "A Study of Macro-botanical Remains Recovered from the House for Families at George Washington?s Mount Ve...

Cotton seed, two fragments.

Organic | Object #: 1885353

Two burnt cotton seed fragments. Latin name: Gossypium. Cotton was a minor crop in Northern Virginia during Washington's time. These seeds suggest that Washington was growing cotton. The presence of cotton seeds in the House For Families may be evidence of processing cotton bolls for fibre...

plum seed fragment.

Organic | Object #: 1885361

One plum seed fragment. Latin name: Prunus sp. Some species of plum were native to North America but the plums grown by Washington,"Greenage Plums", were imported from Europe. Plums were eaten fresh and preserved. (McKnight, Justine W. 2015. "A Study of Macro-botanical Remains R...

Two complete grape seeds.

Organic | Object #: 1885376

Two complete burnt grape seeds. Latin name: Vitis sp. Washington grew both grapes native to Eastern North America and Europe in attempt to establish a wine industry at Mount Vernon. (McKnight, Justine W. 2015. " A Study of Macro-botanical Remains Recovered from the House for Families at Ge...

common bean, three fragments.

Organic | Object #: 1885406

three burnt fragments of common bean. Latin name: Phaseolus vulgaris. European colonists adopted cultivation of common bean from the Native Americans. Washington cultivated a variety of beans. (McKnight, Justine W. 2015. "A Study of Macro-botanical Remains Recovered from the House for Fami...

Two cowpea fragments.

Organic | Object #: 1885415

Two burnt cowpea fragments. Latin name: Vigna sp. Cowpeas are native to Africa and were brought to North America at the same time as the slave trade in the 17th century. (McKnight, Justine W. 2015. "A Study of Macro-botanical Remains Recovered from the House for Families at George Washing...

Two hazel nut fragments.

Organic | Object #: 1885511

Two burnt hazel nut fragments. Latin name: Corylus sp. Hazel trees were native to the northern hemisphere and Colonists brought European varieties to North America. Hazel nuts were used to treat wounds and to expel parasites. (McKnight, Justine W. 2015. "A Study of Macro-botanical Remain...

Complete poke seed.

Organic | Object #: 1885517

One complete burnt poke seed. Latin name: Phytolacca americana. Pokeweed is a toxic plant that has emetic properties. Young shoots have are less toxic and were used as a potherb. Poke was used medicinally for its emetic, cathartic, alterative, and deobstruent properties. (McKnight, Justine W. ...

One raspberry/blueberry seed.

Organic | Object #: 1885524

one burnt raspberry/blueberry seed. Latin name: Rubus sp. There are many wild raspberry/blueberry varieties native to North America, however other varieties were brought from Europe and hybridized with the native plants. They were eaten fresh and preserved and were abundant and favoured. They ...

Complete common bean.

Organic | Object #: 1885526

one complete burnt common bean. Latin name: Phaseolus vulgaris. European colonists adopted cultivation of common bean from the Native Americans. Washington cultivated a variety of beans. (McKnight, Justine W. 2015. "A Study of Macro-botanical Remains Recovered from the House for Families ...

one cowpea, two fragments.

Organic | Object #: 1885528

One burnt cowpea in two pieces. Latin name: Vigna sp. Cowpeas are native to Africa and were brought to North America at the same time as the slave trade in the 17th century. (McKnight, Justine W. 2015. "A Study of Macro-botanical Remains Recovered from the House for Families at George Was...

Black walnut, 11 fragments.

Organic | Object #: 1885534

11 burnt black walnut fragments. Latin name: Juglans nigra. Black Walnut trees are native to North America and were common in natural forests and planned landscapes. Black walnut wood was strong and preferred for fine woodworking such as for furniture. Both the nuts and sap were eaten fresh and...

Dot, diaper white salt glaze stoneware tableware

Stoneware | Object #: 1890407

This fragment of white salt glazed stoneware is a portion of a plate rim decorated by press molding. This white bodied ceramic was produced by combining naturally white clays with ground and calcined flint. In the process of press molding, clay sheets were pressed into block molds to form both ...

Hoe

Iron | Object #: 2521374

Pot Hook

Iron | Object #: 2521388

Chest/Furniture Lock Plate

Copper Alloy | Object #: 2521402

Carriage Bolt

Iron | Object #: 2521408