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Abstract

The use of window glass fragments as time diagnostic artifacts is an atypical, but well-established technique in historical archaeology—founded on the universal increase in window glass thickness through the 18th and 19th centuries. For sites with an abundance of architectural artifacts and a paucity of other time diagnostics or historic documentation, it may be the only means of ascertaining a construction date for a structure. However, when construction dates are known, window glass fragments may provide another benefit. For this analysis, window glass thickness is used as a key variable in a spatial analysis to test for the presence of multiple church construction events at the Unity Presbyterian Red Brick Church Site. This historic site is of crucial significance in recounting the history of the Unity (Latrobe) Presbyterians in southwestern Pennsylvania.

Keywords

Pennsylvania historical archaeology spatial analysis

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From the windows to the walls

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