Archaeological Remains of a Mid Nineteenth Century Brick Clamp: A First Look at Brick Clamps in Kentucky

This article focuses on the findings of site 15SH50; representing the first archaeological investigation of a temporary brick kiln, or "clamp," in Kentucky. Bricks and brickmaking have received little attention in archaeological literature considering the almost universal presence of brick artifacts on most historic archaeological sites. The information generated from the excavations at site 15SH50 includes data on the size, design, and operation of the clamp and associated features. The analysis of bricks manufactured in the facility provides details on handmade brick. The clamp is compared to examples of similar facilities in Virginia and Tennessee to begin an examination of regional variations in brick clamps. The excavations at site 15SH50 provide an important component for this research.