Mass-Produced Coffin Hardware in Eastern North America: A Synthesis

Megan E. Springate

Abstract

Mass-produced coffin hardware is commonly found during excavations or relocations of historic cemeteries in eastern North America dating from ca. 1850. An analysis of data from a sample of excavated sites and trade catalogues was undertaken for three regions: the southeastern United States, the northeastern United States, and Ontario. Following an introduction to the various types of coffin hardware, the sequence of functional and stylistic changes will be summarized for each region, and compared. The resulting temporal sequences for each region will aid archaeologists in assigning dates to unmarked burials.