Analyzing Style and Technology in the Eastern Woodlands
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Analyzing Style and Technology in the Eastern Woodlands Christina B. Rieth New York State Museum Division of Research and Collections Albany, New York 12230 ABSTRACT Trace element analysis was used to assess the provenance of manufacture of ceramic vessels recovered from six Early Late Prehistoric sites (A.D. 700-1300) in the Susquehanna Valley of New York and Pennsylvania. The compositional profiles of 93 sherds were recorded and compared with the profiles of known clays in the valley. The results of this project suggest that the vessels from these sites form five different clay groups with most vessels manufactured from local clays. Some non-locally manufactured pots were also identified and may represent interaction between neighboring groups.
INTRODUCTION Trace element analysis has been employed as a technique for assessing inter and intraregional interaction between Iroquoian groups residing in the Northeast. While such studies have successfully documented interaction between later Iroquoian groups residing in New York [1], Ontario [2], and Quebec [3], similar studies among the Early Iroquoian occupants of southern New York and north-central Pennsylvania have not been completed. In this chapter, I present the results of a project designed to determine whether different clay groups can be identified by comparing the compositional profiles of ceramic vessels found on Early Late Prehistoric sites in the Susquehanna Valley of New York and Pennsylvania. If several different clay groups can be identified, then such information may prove useful in future interaction studies.
OVERVIEW OF CERAMIC ASSEMBLAGE Ceramic vessels recovered from six Early Late Prehistoric sites (Figure 1) represent the primary units of analysis. The artifacts in this study were derived from the Orchard Knoll, Apalachian Creek, Roundtop, Tioga Point Farm, Wells, and St. Anthony’s sites. With the exception of the St. Anthony’s site, these sites are located in southern New York and northern Pennsylvania near the confluence of the Tioga and Chemung Rivers with the main branch of the Susquehanna River. The St. Anthony’s site is located in central Pennsylvania near the confluence of the main and West Branch of the Susquehanna River. Tioga Point Farm and Wells are small camps while Orchard Knoll, Apalachian Creek, Roundtop, and St. Anthony’s are larger hamlet and village sites [4].
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Figure 1. Map showing the location of sites and clay samples. The sites in this figure include Orchard Knoll (1), Roundtop (2), Apalachian Creek (3), Tioga Point Farm (4), Wells (5), and St. Anthony's (6)
The artifacts in this study belong to the Owasco ceramic tradition and consist of cordmarked vessels with oblique, horizontal, and herringbone motifs around the exterior rim, neck, and lip. The bodies of these containers are either plain or embellished with motifs impressed using a cord-wrapped stick or paddle. All of these containers exhibit a grit (crushed rock) temper with quartz, quartzite, and gneiss being major constituents. Limestone an
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