Provenience refers to where an artifact was found. Although sometimes used
as a synonym for provenience, provenance is actually the record of the chain
aof curators of the object after it was found. This article is about provenience.
The importance of recording collector provenance (something often considered
important in establishing authenticity) is a subject that I leave to others.
Without an accurate record of where it was found, a relic has no archaeological
value. Its value to collectors is similarly diminished. Although more experienced
collectors/avocational archaeologists can often make an educated guess at
where a relic came from by type, lithic material, and regional attributes,
there is no substitute for a reliable record of where an artifact was actually
found. In short, well-documented provenience is priceless to both collectors
and to archaeology.
Unfortunately, provenience does not come even close to getting the attention
that it deserves from the collector community. The vast majority of artifacts
in private collections bear no find location markings on them, let alone
accompanying written records. Find information (ordinarily just county and
state) is often exchanged when a finder sells, and maybe even for subsequent
transfers, but without recordation it is easily and quickly forgotten. Once
it is lost, it is lost forever. What then, can be done about this problem
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A page from the author’s ledger documenting
each find and acquisition.
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The first step to a solution lies with the collector-finder. He/she should
keep a ledger in which all finds are recorded. I will illustrate with my
own system that I have diligently adhered to for more than 40 years. I keep
a standard ruled “Ledger” book in which I record all of my significant
finds (others pieces still get marked with site numbers and are kept in separate
site trays or boxes). My system uses a county designation (such as “Li” for
Limestone County, Alabama), followed by site number and piece number. My
designation “Li 8 - 3” means that the piece is the third recorded
artifact from site Li 8. Official state archaeological survey records use
the alphabetical number of each state (Alabama is No. 1), and a similar two
letter abbreviation for county; so my “Li 8” may be the same
site as that designated as “1 LI 126” by archaeologists. (Alabama
uses two capital letters). My ledger information contains a reference to
at least one of the maps in my map file, on which site location is marked
with the site number. (I use a 7-drawer map file labeled by state). I also
record the specific place on the site where each artifact was found in the
ledger. (see Fig. 1 – sample pages from my ledger).
Of course, the artifacts themselves must be marked with the site/piece numbers.
Initially I wrote directly on the relics, but I soon began using white-out
for a removable base. I later started using clear fingernail polish, which
I use to this day on everything except black surfaces. It works very well,
but you must let it dry thoroughly before writing on it (with a fine Sharpie).
I often add full county and state designations on my larger and better personal
finds, either on clear coat or on small label stickers. This practice further
insures that such minimal provenience will not be lost (see Fig. 2 - Pine
Tree point that I found on April 2, 1984 showing site/piece number, county/state
notation, and COA number).
My collection is a combination of personal finds and purchases. Over the
past three years I have prepared Certificates of Authenticity (COAs) on
virtuall my entire collection. Now each relic also bears a 4-digit COA number
(also on clear coat). Even so, I am able to record all information neatly
and comfortably onto the “back” side of all but the smallest
of the points. For personal finds, my COAs have exact latitude and longitude,
many to about a 10th of a second, for the find location. That information
is easily obtained via Google-Earth. I hope that my records will accompany
these artifacts into the future when I am long gone. (Note that my records
possess the artifacts, and not the other way around). Upon our deaths it
is the records that we kept that are the foundation for transfer of the full
value of our treasures to future generations. Creation and maintenance of
provenience records maximizes the ...
Read the complete "The Importance of Recording Provenience" column
in the Central States Archaeological Societies 2024
April Journal which can be purchased on-line after March 2025
