Tpq- Terminus Post Quem - Archaeological Studies printable pdf download

Tpq- Terminus Post Quem - Archaeological Studies

TPQ- Terminus Post Quem

Introduction:

Archaeologists use artifacts to help to help them figure out how far back in time they are digging.

Figure 1 below shows soil layers in cross-section (a similar view to what Luke measured and

assessed for Munsell color in the STP video). Let’s say we’re digging topsoil (Layer #1) and we

find the following artifacts: (see finds list)

Finds List (Layer #1)

date

1 dime

1972

6 wire nails

1850

1 piece of a styrofoam cup

1962

3 fragments of Fiesta ware

1936

(a type of ceramic)

8 fragments of window glass NDA*

1 band-aid

1921

* NDA = non-datable artifact

Figure 1: Source: the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (2013)

To find the date for Layer #1 based on the Finds List, an archaeologist would look for the date of

the most RECENT artifact on the list—in this case the dime dated 1972. Layer #1 could not

have been formed any earlier than 1972, the date the dime was minted. So we would say Layer

#1 post-dates 1972. The archaeological name for the date assigned to a layer using this technique

is a Terminus Post Quem, or TPQ—Latin for “date after which.” A Terminus Post Quem is the

EARLIEST time the event may have happened.

In historical archaeology we know the TPQ for various ceramics

based on their type and decoration. For example, we know that

Mocha ware ceramics (see figure 2) were not produced until the

1790s. If we find a Mocha Ware ceramic sherd when we’re

digging, we know that layer dates to the 1790s or later, because

Mocha Ware didn’t exist before.

Instructions:

While watching the TPQ video, fill in the blanks below with the

type of ceramics found. Then, using the Jefferson Patterson Park

& Museum State Museum of Archaeology online database,

determine the TPQ for layers 2-5.

Figure 2: Mocha Ware ceramic

colonial.html. This website will provide rough dates for the

mug

earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain ceramic sherds that you

find.

Tpq- Terminus Post Quem - Archaeological Studies

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