One unique artifact recovered from Colonial Dorchester is a metal two-tine fork adorned with a bone handle. It was found on Lot 52 (see current archaeological excavation tab for more info.) within what has been interpreted as a kitchen space. Utensil use became a standardized practice around the mid-18###sup/sup### century in Europe and was available to members of most socioeconomic classes in the United States by the late 18###sup/sup### century. The earliest forks present in the North American colonies were serving forks, which had two tines and were used to anchor food and transport it from a communal to personal dish, rather than for bringing food to the mouth. It is most likely that the fork from Colonial Dorchester pictured here was used in this manner.

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

Lybbert, Travis J. 2010. “The Economic Roots of the American ‘Zigzag’: Knives, Forks, and British Mercantilism.” Economic Inquiry Vol. 48, No. 3, pg. 810-815.

Karsky, Barbara. 2018. “Sustenance and Sociability: Eating Habits in 18th Century America.” Revue Francais d’Etudes Americaines, 27-28, pg. 51-66.