September 2011 – Artifact of the Month

(Previous) Artifacts of the Month Index

Mastodon Tooth Found at Franklin Court: A fossil that is an artifact


This mastodon molar was discovered in 1953 in the vicinity of Benjamin Franklin’s Philadelphia mansion. An electrician came upon the tooth while laying a conduit in the basement of a house on Market Street. The place where this item was discovered became known as the archaeological site of Franklin Court. This site is part of Independence National Historical Park.

This particular object is unusual as it is both a natural fossil and a cultural artifact. Archaeologists don’t usually study fossils. Paleontologists are the scientists that study ancient (fossilized) plants and animals. Archaeologists are interested in human ideas and behaviors and they study artifacts — anything made or modified by humans. This ‘artifact’ designation does however include natural objects that are moved or modified by humans.

Such is the case with this mastodon molar. It was removed by humans from its original source (a fossil bed created by natural forces) for a particular human need, or purpose — and it ended up buried in the ground on the 300 block of Market Street. This ‘context’, or discovery setting, makes the tooth also a cultural artifact.

Archaeologists study ‘artifacts’ because of the information they hold about past human experience. Among other important insights, this mastodon molar is evidence of the enlightenment science that was shaping western society at the time of the nation’s founding.

The American Mastodon (Mammut americanum) was an elephant-like animal that lived in North American until becoming extinct about 10,000 years ago. We know about mastodon’s today mainly through scientific fossil discoveries which began in the colonial period. In the mid to late 1700’s through early 1800’s, North American natural philosophers and explorers located several fossil beds holding mastodon remains. Benjamin Franklin and other scientists of the day (among others) received these specimens and were mystified by this ancient “monster”. Franklin’s correspondence mentions having mastodon bones, molars, and tusks and indicates that he sent mastodon bones and teeth to others. He also writes about studying the specimens and about comparing them with the bones of African elephants.

When removed from their original fossil bed locations for the needs of the interested colonialists, these physical remains of ancient life became part of the 18th century world — a cultural world of changing values and ideas. The mastodon tooth found in the vicinity of Franklin Court is an artifact of colonial-era American culture.

Learn more about how this fossil-artifact discovery at this podcast tour web page:
archaeology.about.com/od/artandartifacts/ss/franklin.htm

Read about how the mastodon was a symbol of national identity in Paul Semonin’s 2002 book American Monster and at this webpage americanmonster.net

Submitted by Patrice L. Jeppson


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