| The concept of socioeconomic status has been widely used in historical archaeology as a means by which to assess social group relationships. The methods used to derive socioeconomic status have been contentious, and there is not yet a universally accepted approach. This thesis aims to evaluate the comparative utility of four of the most appropriate methods, using the ceramic and glass tableware components of a collection excavated at Fort York in 1987 (Operation 1FY3) along with historic documents, associated with the Officers' Barracks and Mess. Ratio comparisons, weighted expense rank values, and ceramic price index values are used to gauge the relative cost of the archaeological collection, while documentary analysis focuses on a comparison of the amount of space assigned to officers and soldiers using contemporary plans. The assemblage, dating between the 1815 construction of the barracks and the ca. 1828 filling of the east areaway, conforms to patterns observed at other contemporary British military sites, A high level of affluence is inferred from the weighted expense rank values and ceramic cost indices, while ratio comparisons are deemed less useful. Plan analysis suggests that less space was given to the officers at Fort York than elsewhere. This, along with a lack of the most prestigious ceramics, accords with the suggestion that the highest ranking officers lived outside the garrison.;Keywords. historical archaeology, socioeconomic status, nineteenth century British military history, Fort York, Toronto history, ratio analysis, weighted expense ranks, scalar price index analysis, spatial analysis. |
