The relative density of different
artifact types was predicted across the site using
Surfer contour maps (below). All three maps illustrate
the approximate location of the house, which was plotted
using the 1898 Sanborn fire insurance map. These maps
show that the architectural artifacts are clustered
directly behind the house, which indicates that the
rubble left over from the demolition was expediently
piled onto the existing organic midden prior to the
deposition of the clay fill. The food remains, miscellaneous
animal bones (the majority of which are likely food
remains), and food-related artifacts display a different
distribution. These are densely scattered in a band
which corresponds to the extent of the organic midden.
However, a number of the units with organic midden
contained relatively low densities of artifacts (including
types not depicted in the contour maps). For example,
the organic soils in Units 21 and 27 developed in
and over a cluster of piled rocks but contained very
few artifacts or food remains. The results of the
flotation analysis showed that the types of seeds
recovered from this part of the site were largely
non-edible weeds. Since it was assumed that the midden
developed its dark, rich soil from the heavy deposition
of food stuffs and possibly night soil (chamberpot
contents), why was this area lacking in both composted
remains and other types of trash?
In the 1800s, it was common for
tenant farmers in Ireland to place their animal pens
and outbuildings directly adjacent to their residences,
creating a tightly defined home/farm space. We know
from the private records of Franklin Cornell that
Christopher Carney maintained his own “farm”,
though the extent and products of that farm were not
recorded. We also know from the archaeological record
that pigs were slaughtered on the property, though
this activity was conducted outside the limits of
the organic midden. These pieces of information suggest
that the Carneys were raising pigs and that they were
likely to keep the animals penned next to the house.
Therefore, it is highly probable that the rectangular
band of organic midden which runs directly in back
of the structure is actually the footprint of the
pig sty. Pigs were relatively cheap to raise, since
they produced large litters, could be fed table scraps,
and grew quickly. The Carneys were apparently dumping
the majority of their trash into the pig pen, including
both food and non-edible objects. The south end of
the pen was further from the house, and so therefore
received less trash. The pigs, however, would have
foraged up and down the length of their pen, depositing
manure as they went. The manure is the source of the
dark, rich soil. When it came time to slaughter the
pigs, the Carneys preferred to do the butchering in
the less messy environment north of the house (Unit
17). At some point late in the Carney’s residency,
the family decided to excavate a privy/refuse pit
at the north end of the pig pen. The pigs were probably
either given a more limited pen or were not kept onsite
anymore. The decision to dig a pit may reflect changing
social attitudes towards sanitation, which may have
been prompted by the increasing urbanization of University
Avenue.
The remainder of the site contained
relatively few artifacts. We know from the Cornell
records that the Carneys kept a garden, so it is possible
that the garden was located towards the north end
of the site. The 1882 Bird’s Eye View
map of Ithaca shows that there was a fence between
the Carney’s house and the road. A reconstruction
of the house lot is shown below, using both map and
archaeological data.
+click
to enlarge
Reconstruction |
next>>
