Nails recovered from early-to-mid 18th century contexts such as at Colonial Dorchester were hand-made. During most of this period, most handmade nails and the materials used to forge them were imported into the colonies from England. During the last decade of the 18th century, nail technology began to change and some machine cut nails were made and used. At Colonial Dorchester handwrought nails are one of the most commonly recovered architectural remains second to brick. In many instances, the nails are found in association with brick structural foundations which suggest a wood building.

Hume, Ivor Noel. 1969. A Guide to Artifacts of Colonial America. University of Pennsylvania Press. Philadelphia, PA.

Wells, Tom. 1998. “Nail Chronology: The Use of Technology Derived Features.” Historical Archaeology, Vol. 32, No. 2, pg. 78-99.

Nelson, Lee H. 1968. “Nail Chronology as an aid to dating old buildings.” F.A.I.A., National Park Service.