Concrete or Cement

Though similar, cement and concrete are two different materials and this difference is significant when trying to interpret grave markers. Cement is a combination of aggregates, such as limestone, sand, and shell, that are turned into a fine powder and mixed with water. Concrete contains cement, small aggregates, and water. Concrete is smooth, stronger, and well-levigated while cement is course with larger, chunkier aggregates. Cement is generally easier to make than concrete, which requires more labor and resources, and, therefore, homemade mixtures are typically cement and the courser the aggregates the more vernacular the mixture.

Both cement and concrete, and even cement cores with concrete surfaces have been found in Canaan Cemetery. In some cases, the cement or concrete is covered with a white or lime wash producing a white surface. This material is not only used for upright headstones but also slabs, curbs, and foot stones. Foot stones are typically smaller than the headstone and placed at the lower end of the grave. They can also be an economical option for a headstone.

Inscriptions

Inscriptions on grave markers typically include the person's data, an epitaph, and, sometimes, figural reliefs. In concrete and cement, the inscriptions can be part of the mold used to form it or placed into the mixture as it dries. In these cases, the inscriptions could have been made with stamped letters or written by hand.

Granite

Granite is a stone made of igneous rock that is tough and resilient. It became popular around the end of the 19th century and is the most common grave stone material used today. It is typically gray, though Canaan Cemetery also has some granite grave markers made of pink granite.

Marble

Marble is a white material. It was popular in the 19th century as the stone is soft and easy to carve. Over time, as the grave marker is exposed to various elements, the surface will become pitted and stained and the inscriptions erode away. Conservators working with marble suggest using microfiber cloths when cleaning its surface.

Metal Tags

Metal tags are technically termed "temporary grave markers" and usually placed at the site by the cemetery or funeral home. They are typically small rectangular signs with a name, birth and death date, and name of the funeral home, though there are other shapes at Canaan Cemetery including a "sheriff's badge" shape, which resembles a reversed crown. In some cases, these tags can also be purchased by individuals at a funeral home.

Usually, when the permanent head stone arrives the metal tag is removed. However, several grave markers at Canaan Cemetery have both a permanent stone headstone and metal. They were also probably an economical option for a headstone or the family member or friend were unable to acquire a permanent headstone.

In many cases, the only indication of a grave marker at the cemetery is a weathered metal tag. The information was sometimes written on a piece of paper and slipped between the metal and a glass plate or stamped into metal strips and slipped into interchangeable slots. As a result, most metal tags do not have any preserved personal information; given the quantity of the metal tags at the cemetery, it is likely that the AMDBV Project will not be able to identify all of the burials.

Petrified Wood

Petrified wood is fossilization wood all throughout Texas, particularly in the nearby Brazos River. As it is nearly as hard as diamonds, rating between a 7 and 8 on the Mohs Hardness Scale, it is difficult to cut. At Canaan Cemetery, there are several burials marked with upright petrified wood. One burial is marked by a large, upright headstone and smaller foot stone, both made of petrified wood surrounded by a metal curb. Given the quantities of petrified wood in the Brazos River and its importance to the communities of the Brazos Bottoms, it is likely the source of the petrified wood grave markers in Canaan Cemetery.