gordon : interpretation of artifacts

in summary : artifacts important when documentary record is not complete; technological artifacts often evade description or drawing, have to rely on the artifacts themselves. when writing exists about artifacts (rare), we need to be cautious about the artifacts being boosted or oversold. there are two steps to interpret artifacts of technology: archaeometry and context analysis. archaeometry relies on determining internal structure, analyzing form, observing surficial markings, and determining other physical properties. context can be thought of as backward-linkage components from the artifact (natural resources, human resources, function comparisons, and social structures) or forward-thinking (interactions of users withthe artifact and other observers of the artifact). three examples illuminate this approach, a partially completed ax, a piece of slag, and a steam locomotive. in all three instances, gordon capably demonstrates that even the simplest of objects and processes belie a complexity and skill level of artisans and craftspeople who made the objects.

FOR DISCUSSION : gordon reminds several times during the article of the importance of seeking, understanding, and explaining the context for artifacts. SPECULATE on any instance where you feel context might not be important for an artifact.