POMPEII ARTIFACT LIFE HISTORY PROJECT (PALHIP)

PALHIP is an archaeological and archival research project based out of the University of California, Berkeley, directed by J. Theodore Peña. By examining previously-excavated assemblages in Pompeii, Italy, we can learn more about how objects moved through their pre-deposition environment, from production to use to discard or re-use. Assemblages can be assessed for a wide variety of features, including those pertaining to formal vessel type, detailed production methodology, time spent in circulation, production failures, or ceramic fabric. I spent three seasons working in the field as a PALHIP researcher, and I continue affiliation with the project as an external collaborator.

You can learn more about PALHIP by visiting RES ROMANAE, the website of the University of California, Berkeley Roman Material Culture Laboratory (RMCL).

Object-focused FileMaker Pro database

PALHIP uses FileMaker Pro as a platform for multiple ceramics-focused databases. From detailed individual object logs to collating quantitive data sets

Macro log of ceramic fabrics

Developing an easy-to-use visual reference guide for the various ceramic clay fabrics was a project directive over the course of multiple seasons. We photographed clean breaks with a digital microscope and created scaled frames for easy reference.

Pottery profile illustration

Part of creating a comprehensive artifact database includes recording the exterior and interior profiles of various wheel thrown pottery pieces. This allows for easy comparative studies, and the digitized images can be re-created into 3D reconstructions for better estimating internal volume.