Lost Ornaments Survey, NYC

From a restriction in movement, a string is broken, a fastening is pulled and an ornament is lost. This is a walking and biking archaeological survey of the context of tiny lost ornaments in the big city. Objects are collected and recorded by survey team members [join us!]. Collection cataloged and described by project director, Dr. Ellen Belcher, John Jay College. More on this project is at http://lostornaments.tumblr.com/about

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Jan2023_1 - a teardrop shape glass crystal - from under a bench 175st A train platform

Jan2023_2 plastic bead, black - sidewalk crack

Jan2023_3 red plastic disc bead - sidewalk crack

Jan2023_4 silver metal 'BARCELONA' charm double perforated - sidewalk crack, Roosevelt Island

Jan2023_5 hinged hoop earring 'L stainless steel' stamped on inside - bike lane

Jan2023_6 white plastic 'A' bead-  curbside, crosswalk

Jan2023_7 gold earring, filigreed, inset[s] lost, very squished - sidewalk crack outside Lidl, Harlem.

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January 2023

A resolution to record the finds more systematically since they are all over the house and in every pocket. Starting in January 2023.

Inspired by the NEH-NADAC Institute I’m now participating on for 2023-24.

Each find will get a unique number [MonthYear_FindNumber]. And every two weeks or so I’ll document my finds with a post, either here or on IG #LostOrnamentsOfNYC which includes

unique number - short description - context, findspot

Took the rest of the finds from before and tossed them all in a jar without recording. Kept out the useful and non-descript finds - marbles and earring backs to use for other purposes.

Views into the 2022 and previous jar.

[lostornaments]

Instagram post by @elnbel • Sep 18, 2017 at 3:42am UTC

1 Likes, 1 Comments - @elnbel on Instagram: “A woman with flowers in her hair let out a woop and threw her hands in the air when her bracelet…”

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Instagram post by @elnbel • Jun 6, 2017 at 2:32am UTC

6 Likes, 1 Comments - @elnbel on Instagram: “I've been moving around NYC a lot, mainly by bike, and finding a slew of #lostornaments”

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Dr.EB on Twitter

“@LNBel someone(s) always drops #lostornaments on the jetway or whatever the chute to door is called”

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Dr.EB on Twitter

“Even though I've studied over 100 Neolithic beads, #lostornaments project continues this yellow plastic bead was near kitchen at dig house”

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Dr.EB on Twitter

“An unexciting assemblage of #lostornaments from #atatürkaırport”

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Dr.EB on Twitter

“Istanbul #lostornaments survey mid season report”

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Dr.EB on Twitter

“People are always dropping #lostornaments at #atatürkairport”

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Instagram post by @elnbel • Jul 11, 2017 at 4:11am UTC

5 Likes, 1 Comments - @elnbel on Instagram: “As often happens on a full day of traveling around the city by foot and subway, many #lostornaments…”

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Instagram post by @elnbel • May 26, 2017 at 3:00am UTC

5 Likes, 3 Comments - @elnbel on Instagram: “Here's the broken necklace scatter #lostornaments retrieved from the entrance of the Bedford ave L…”

[lostornaments]

Instagram post by @elnbel • Mar 17, 2017 at 3:00am UTC

4 Likes, 1 Comments - @elnbel on Instagram: “Found out and about today #lostornaments a googly eye & looong earring found together, a brass…”

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Instagram post by @elnbel • Mar 8, 2017 at 3:40am UTC

3 Likes, 1 Comments - @elnbel on Instagram: “A few #lostornaments found around Washington heights, Williamsburg, John Jay college and in between…”

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Instagram post by @elnbel • Feb 27, 2017 at 9:54pm UTC

15 Likes, 4 Comments - @elnbel on Instagram: “#heyyoudroppedthis world in glass in the gutter of 9th ave #lostornaments #lostworld”

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Instagram post by @elnbel • Feb 3, 2017 at 2:25am UTC

4 Likes, 1 Comments - @elnbel on Instagram: “An update on #lostornaments found here and there. I found the flower snap and diamond while walking…”

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Instagram post by @elnbel • Jan 24, 2017 at 1:58am UTC

12 Likes, 2 Comments - @elnbel on Instagram: “Another #lostornaments pressed into service for the struggle, found in a mud puddle during a rain…”

[lostornaments]

Instagram post by @elnbel • Jan 23, 2017 at 3:06pm UTC

6 Likes, 1 Comments - @elnbel on Instagram: “Breaking the methodological rules of #lostornaments by wearing these useful #dumptrump protest…”