Kristen Bryfogle

Kristen Bryfogle, archeologist extraordinaire.
Researching Greek peasants and farm life.

[Alex Meyer @almeyer4]

@elfstone1121 @verstrje2010 I agree, the idea that garbage would be spread about a field with the compost makes a lot of sense. #181greek

[Kristen Bryfogle @kbarchaeologist]

@almeyer4 Still, there could be low-density scatters of broken pots and tiles, which weren't of much value in a move. #181greek

[Kristen Bryfogle @kbarchaeologist]

@elfstone1121 If trade occured, then farmers were not always living at subsistence level. They had surplus goods. #181greek

[Kristen Bryfogle @kbarchaeologist]

@SK181CArchaeo @verstrje2010 Can you explain what post-depositional processes are? I'm confused. #181greek

[Kristen Bryfogle @kbarchaeologist]

@SK181CArchaeo @verstrje2010 It could be either of these theories considering there isn't enough evidence to reach a conclusion. #181greek

[Kristen Bryfogle @kbarchaeologist]

@almeyer4 @elfstone1121 What would you be looking for in this system to identify a farm? How does this technology work? #181greek

[Kristen Bryfogle @kbarchaeologist]

@almeyer4 Pettegrew offers a different idea that pottery was fairly cheap and even peasants could afford some vessels. #181greek

[Alex Meyer @almeyer4]

Sanders says a crop of land 17 to 19 acres would be enough for a subsistence farmer. To be a farm, a site must fit this criteria. #181greek

[Kristen Bryfogle @kbarchaeologist]

@elfstone1121 It's at least evidence of a dwelling. The real issue is whether peasants could afford these goods. #181greek

[Kristen Bryfogle @kbarchaeologist]

"Most of the rural poor lived invisible lives, and can only be inferred from low-density artifact scatters..." #181greek

[Kristen Bryfogle @kbarchaeologist]

"Low density scatters may represent...seasonal habitation, low-intensity rural
activities, and short-term exploitation..." #181greek

[Kristen Bryfogle @kbarchaeologist]

@verstrje2010 Pettegrew said floors could contain sherds, but peasants probably also had dirt floors. Both were likely used. #181greek

[Kristen Bryfogle @kbarchaeologist]

@verstrje2010 It's worth a look if these texts can establish a literary foundation, like Schliemann and others did. #181greek #181roman

[Kristen Bryfogle @kbarchaeologist]

@LizArchaeology True, however, Pettegrew thinks peasants may have stacked up tiles and sherds so they could be reused later. #181greek

[Kristen Bryfogle @kbarchaeologist]

@verstrje2010 The sherds which archaeologists have come across while excavating and surveying rural sites suggest they did. #181greek

[Kristen Bryfogle @kbarchaeologist]

Additionally, any remnants of weaving or spinning equipment and broken tiles have been noted traces of occupation. #181greek

[Kristen Bryfogle @kbarchaeologist]

Pottery sherds were used to make and repair floors. Farms may have these types of floors, so sherds could indicate a farmhouse. #181greek

[Kristen Bryfogle @kbarchaeologist]

Just one of the reuses for broken Greek pots, although this was in the Athenian practice of ostracism: http://t.co/0iM1wpss6v. #181greek

[Kristen Bryfogle @kbarchaeologist]

http://t.co/OqNu3aStQ0 Greek tiles certainly look different than our modern roof shingles #181greek

[Kristen Bryfogle @kbarchaeologist]

@KB_Archaeology I think Pettegrew can help us. He says objects are left behind because they are either not valuable or portable. #181greek