UNCOVERING THE PAST WITH OHAUS SCALES AND BALANCES
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The US National Park Service is working in partnership
with the National Constitution Center, Gateway Visitor Center
Corp., philanthropic organization Eastern National, and the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to try and unveil the hidden history
of the US, relying upon OHAUS scales and balances in their
research. |
History remains a mystery until someone discovers and sheds some
light on it. Archeologists in Philadelphia are doing just
that in order to unveil the hidden history of our nation.
Discovering, analyzing and recording artifacts are what the
National Park Service archeologists do on a daily basis. One
of their major projects currently underway is the exploration of
three blocks of Philadelphia's Independence Mall, containing
hundreds of historic house lots where people lived and worked in
the late 18th and early 19th centuries, which will help
archeologists better understand our nation's past.
Uncovering History with Ohaus
The National Park Service is working on this project in
partnership with the National Constitution Center, Gateway Visitor
Center Corp., philanthropic organization Eastern National, and the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Their collaboration is in
efforts to complete this extensive project of excavating and
redeveloping one of Philadelphia's most historic sections.
Since the project began in 2000, over one million artifacts have
been recovered from the excavation site, which sits on the
Independence Mall, one block north of Independence Hall.
During the excavation, archeologists have found pieces ranging
from small seeds and animal bones to glass bottles and ceramic
fragments. These artifacts are weighed and recorded into a
computerized cataloging system. Thus far, over 70,000
artifacts from the dig have been recorded fast and
accurately. With the help of OHAUS Adventurer Pro precision
balances, this process is made easier and more efficient, speeding
the archeologists' work.
The Ohaus Adventurer Pro is the most complete
balance in its class!
The archeologists' process involves cleaning, analyzing and
recording the artifacts in the Independence Living History Center
Archeology Laboratory, which houses all one million
artifacts. This working facility is open to the public, and
is surrounded by glass windows, so visitors can watch history being
revealed. Archeologists also talk to the visitors and explain
what they're doing.
The Independence Living History Center re-opened three years ago,
and the
Archeology Lab has been busy ever since, processing materials that
were found in this excavation site between 2000 and 2003.
"The bulk of what we do in the lab is the processing and analysis
of artifacts," said Jed Levin, Research Director of the Center.
With 70,000 artifacts already recorded, "It will take about five to
six years to finish the remaining artifacts," Levin said.
According to Levin, for each hour spent in the field, another
two to 10 hours is spent in the laboratory analyzing and recording
the results of the dig. The process of handling the artifacts
in the laboratory starts with cleaning them piece by piece.
Next, each piece is labeled, reassembled, if needed, and
photographed. Then, the artifact is studied by an analyst for
a number of reasons. First, the analyst tries to determine
what the piece is, what type of material it's made of, what type of
decoration, if any, is on it, and when and where it was made.
Then, the analyst measures its attributes, such as the diameter and
weight, so it can be quantified. Finally, the artifact is
entered into a computerized cataloging system.
Levin and the research team use the OHAUS Adventurer™ Pro
electronic balance when recording the weight measurements of each
artifact. The Adventurer Pro, which is ideal for laboratory
applications, offers reliability and accuracy, along with the
option for a factory installed USB port. For heavier objects,
the research team uses OHAUS Champ bench scales, which can weigh up
to 150kg.
Both Adventurer Pro balances and Champ scales offer readouts that
can be transferred into the archeologists' computerized cataloging
system. In Levin's computerized cataloging system, the weight of
the artifact is automatically entered because the scale is
connected directly to the computer, which eliminates manual data
input and ensures data accuracy. "The process used to involve
weighing the piece, then turning to record the result, but manually
entering the weight took additional time and introduced errors,"
Levin said. "Using the Adventurer Pro and Champ speeds up
cataloging and it helps to reduce or eliminate transcription
errors."
Eliminate mistakes and save time with data
logging software.
After looking at a variety of options of scales to use in the
artifact recording process, Levin chose OHAUS. "OHAUS had the
range of models that accommodated our needs," Levin said.
"OHAUS also had the prices that fit our budget, and it proved
reliable over the years."
"Since the scale is connected right to the computer, you just hit
the 'return' key and the weight is entered directly into the
system," Levin said. "Weighing and recording the artifacts
can be pretty time consuming and labor intensive, which is why
digital scales are an advantage because they cut the work time in
half."
There are a number of reasons why the artifacts are weighed, and
why it's important to have an accurate weight. Levin explains
that curators need to know how much certain pieces weigh so they
can plan shelving arrangements. The weight measurements are
also useful for analysis or comparing quantities for statistical
studies.
Adventurer Pro has flexible connectivity options
with RS232 or USB.
Statistical studies can help us better understand aspects of daily
life from the past. For example, Levin explains how comparing the
weight of oyster shells from a coachmen's house to the weight of
oyster shells from a wealthy man's house can give researchers a
better idea of people's diets in the 18th century. The
difference can help reveal how daily diet varied between the
wealthy and the poor, or between people of different ethnic
backgrounds. This is what the archeologists are focusing on;
their goal is to better understand those who lived hundreds, and
sometimes thousands of years ago.
The Adventurer Pro and Champ scales not only cut the processing
time in half, it also offers reliability, accuracy and
simplicity. The OHAUS family of analytical and top-loading
balances as well as bench scales offers more standard features and
options than any other products in its class. Their ability
for customization by end users, including the National Park
Service's archeological research team, is a key feature of their
popularity.