Provenience is paramount in archaeology. Folks may present archaeologists with a rim, a bowl, a mosaic piece (tessera), a jar handle, a shard of glass, a sherd of pottery.… In return, we can give you a general time period just by the shape of a nail shaft or its head. We can tell you which Native American tribe manufactured which kind of projectile point (arrowhead) based on its attributes. We can hold forth on a ’57 Chevy or a 1960 VW Beetle (oops! I guess that’s not archaeology, per se…lol…).
But a true archaeologist always asks the million-shekel question: “Where did you get this?”
Because without its provenience, it’s basically worthless from a scientific standpoint. Its original source needs to be recorded and verified. Which means: Don’t touch it-! And certainly don’t move it-! Flag it, leave a trusted friend to guard it, but call an expert.
There may be more where that came from. And depending on where you live, whether it’s public property or even your own private property, you generally don’t get to keep whatever “it” is. Unless, of course, you wish to start your own prison ministry….
In an archaeological excavation, diggers use bags or buckets for artifacts. The former may be either Ziplocs of various sizes, sometimes with tiny holes for items to “breathe”, or brown paper “lunch” bags). These are marked with a Sharpie magic marker pen. If a lot of interesting or heavy items emerge, it’s time to use buckets for artifacts with tags attached to the handle, also marked.
We note the date, the site name or number, the area, the square, the locus, the elevation and often the initials of the individuals excavating in that particular locus. In other words, if there’s a problem in the recordkeeping, they know whom to pursue…!
That’s the provenience—where it was found in situ—described in a 3-D type of way. Without the provenience, all of the Old City shops have nothing much to offer… because usually… the item was looted from a site. When you purchase unprovenienced artifacts, it encourages more looting.
Not good.
A similar word, provenance, has to do with the background place of the item. So, a donkey used for a Canaanite sacrifice 5,000 years ago was uncovered in Tell es-Safi (Biblical Gath). That’s its provenience. However, from analysis of its teeth, archaeologists understand that it was born in the Nile Valley. That’s its provenance and tells us about the trade of the day.
Provenience = the exact location where archaeologists uncovered it.
Provenance = the earlier background/history/ownership of the artifact or material remain.
Always remember: where you come from is not as important as where you are currently located. Location, location, location. Natural or spiritual, it matters!
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