by Shea K.
Terms used in this blog
Nail Header- Tool used for putting the round or square head on a handmade nail
Hand Wrought- Nail forged by hand usually made of wrought iron
Type A and Type B nails- first forms of machine-made nails
Wire Nails- Common nails today made by cutting lengths or wire
This project is an attempt at outreach in the form of Youtube videos aimed to educate people on the usefulness of nails in archeological research. Nails and other fasteners can be used to date a structure with rather surprising accuracy. I attempted to show and explain the different types of nails through history and explain how that gives us date ranges for structures and additions. I wanted to create a video that would draw attention, so I decided to show the process for creating hand wrought nails. This process is not a simple one for someone who has not done it before, and as such I had many failed attempts, I turned into a blooper reel to hopefully draw in more visitors to the educational video. I also decided it would be a good idea to show how a nail header so I created a third video on the process of creating a header. I also created my own web hosting server from a Raspberry Pi Zero W to store my videos and any future research or outreach.
I used a three step method, I created a web server to host my own site, on that site I posted the videos, and information. the server can also be used in future research and outreach as an open access web platform. I also posted the videos to Youtube which is a rather popular platform.
I used archeological studies done by both MSU and UVM for the information I provided in my videos. The MSU campus archeology program gave me the knowledge I needed on the different types of nails and provided me with the link to the UVM article on nails as well.
The UVM article had information on the specific dates of when different types of nails were used. The article also led me towards learning that Type B nails are the nails used in the installation of hardwood flooring. As a contractor I already had some flooring nails in my garage that I was able to use in my video.
Kimmels video with the cloverfields preservation foundation gave me the instruction on how nails can be used to date additions and restorations on a structure. The video also explained the methods of making the nails in slightly better detail than the previous articles.
The idea behind creating the videos was to reach the age demographic that commonly looks up how to videos on YouTube. I also wanted to create my own website to host my videos and pictures. I believe the web server I created will be a good future tool for hosting data and keeping research open to everyone.
The first video I created was of the successful attempt I had at creating a nail. It took me over a dozen attempts before I finally had a few successes. I used text overlay to inform about the processes I used to create the nail, as well as the history of nails. This helped me to show how nails can be used to date structure and structural additions. In the descriptions of the video I left links to my site, my other videos, and all of my citations.
My second video is a blooper reel, as I mentioned I had several failed attempts, so it left significant room for videos of my failures. This was less educational; However, I included it since I added links to my other videos in an effort to use this as a draw to my other links.
My third video is of me creating the nail header. The header is the tool used to create the head of the nail. I had to create my own in order to complete this project, so I thought adding a video of that process, as well as adding some information on how the header and nails help archeologists would be a good source of outreach. This video shared a lot of the detail of what nails teach archeologists as well. As this was the last video I created I was more adept at the editing software and was able to include significantly more information.
The creation of the videos, and the number of failed attempts I had before I created a successful nail left me with less time than expected. The video editing software was also new to me. Because of this I haven’t had my videos up for very long yet; However, I hope their will become more successful as time progresses. My goal is to reach 20-40 year old Youtube views. I believe the blacksmithing approach that I used will be good for that means. I also did an instructional video as I believe that is more geared towards that age group. The last attempt I made to appeal to the demographic is with music choices from the 80-90s as background for my videos. I was able to receive around 2 views per video so far, and I believe that because my videos are now permanently on the internet the project has the potential to reach many more.
References
1.http://campusarch.msu.edu/?p=1305
Wyatt, B., & Roberts, J. (2017, January 6). All about nails… Retrieved from http://campusarch.msu.edu/?p=1305
Kimmel, D. (2019, July 25). Cloverfields as of July 2019: Period Nails Help Date Different Sections of the House and The Structural Frame is Repaired. Retrieved from https://www.cloverfieldspreservationfoundation.org/newsletters/2019/7/18/period-nails-and-scarf-joints.
3. http://www.uvm.edu/histpres/203/nails.html
University of Vermont. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.uvm.edu/histpres/203/nails.html.
4. https://www.realorrepro.com/article/Nails-as-clues-to-age
Chervenka, M. (n.d.). Nails as clues to age. Retrieved from https://www.realorrepro.com/article/Nails-as-clues-to-age.
5. https://www.instructables.com/id/Making-1000-nails-Colonial-Blacksmithing/
Instructables. (2017, October 6). Making 1000 Nails – Colonial Blacksmithing. Retrieved from https://www.instructables.com/id/Making-1000-nails-Colonial-Blacksmithing/.
6. Nail Header. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.sevenpinesforge.com/products/nail-header/.
7. Nails. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://oldexeterhouse.blogspot.com/p/nails.html.
Acknowledgments
Bob Rupert, Chandler Dickenson, Joey Van Der Steeg, Torbjörn Åhman, and Nicholas Kimball, Blacksmithing Association Missouri.
SIUE Public Archaeology 
This is incredible work!
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