Ceramic Exchange and Community Organization of Middle Woodland Period Hopewell Groups in the Scioto Valley, Ohio

Summary

This is an abstract from the "SAA 2021: General Sessions" session, at the 86th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

This paper examines ceramic exchange as a proxy for the social interaction aspect of community organization in Middle Woodland Period Hopewell groups living in the Scioto River region of Ohio. The results of instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) and electron microprobe analysis (EMA) are discussed as they relate to the interaction and influence expectations of two models proposed: the more constricted dispersed sedentary community model and the fluid regional-use model. The characterization of clay and temper resources that were available to the peoples and potters living in the region was conducted as a first step prior to identification of non-local wares. Ceramic samples from 23 sites across the region dating to the Early to Fort Ancient Periods were subjected to INAA and EMA and the resulting data were analyzed using principal components analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis. Once a preliminary characterization was addressed, the ceramics from Middle Woodland contexts were re-assessed using PCA and cluster analysis to identify non-local wares. These potential non-local wares were then compared to the clays and tempers characterized for different areas within the Scioto Region to determine potential provenience. The frequency and scale of exchanged wares were then assessed based on model expectations.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 86th Annual Meeting, Online (2021)   •
• SAA 2021: General Sessions

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 33524