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map 13, most glass ('kitchenware') was located in quadrats 002 to 005
west, and 000 north to 004 south. However, the overall range of quadrats
which contained artefactual material classified as kitchen- and table-wares
tends to be more broad, perhaps reflecting the dispersal of artefacts by
f100dwaters and post-occupational site disturbance by station workers,
visitors or stock. This increased dispersion, however, could also be a
product of visibility, fragments of glass, ceramic material and cooking
utensils tending to be less subject to impaction into te surface. These
artefacts also tend to present convenient rifle targets and missiles.
Map 14 shows that analysis of the quadrats from which classes of artefacts
were drawn reveals definite patterns. The greatest weight of ferrous
artefacts came from a group of quadrats 45 to 46 meters south and 64 to
68 meters east of the survey origin. This area contained woodworking and
metal-working tools, a barrel hoop, horse shoe fragments, fragments of
iron and forged iron items. These suggest the location was used as a
workshop.
Quadrats in the group 002 to 008 west by 000 north to 008 south
contained the majority of artefacts associated with clothing and personal
usage, and artefacts which possibly relate to religious or recreational
activities. The distribution of these is shown by map 15. The number of
items involved, however, is small. Quadrat 019s001w also contained a
clothing-related artefact grouping, comprising a four-hole button, a buckle
and part of a pair of braces. Quadrat 008s008w, contained three buttons, a
large press-stud, a Chinese 'cash', and an unidentified item perhaps
associated with a blind-cord. Perhaps these came from a residential
structure built at this actual location, but there is no evidence in the form of
post stumps, obvious changes in the compaction of the surface, mounds or
depressions to support the proposition.
8.1.5 Evidence of Cultural Significance.
The ferrous artefacts at Chinaman's Well are not culturally diagnostic,
comprising a wood drill, a forged iron drop-bar, bolt fragments, a nut, and
horseshoes. Neither are buttons, but some of these are of great interest as
indicators of origin. One button appears to have been coloured black (find
#742) , perhaps for use as a counter or piece for gambling, for draughts or
for some other recreational activity. One of the Chinese 'cash' from the site
(find #736) has been similarly coloured. These are discussed further in
paragraph 8.1.7.
Cuprous items in the samples from Chinaman's Well included the sides,
tops, and bases of opium tins, Chinese 'cash', metal buttons, and two
buckles. A ceramic opium pipe bowl was also located at this site, but is
unprovenanced, having been picked up some hundred and seventy meters
downstream of the survey origin. It seems highly probable this item was