Investigating Southern New England Native American Ceramic Traditions: How Form and Function Can Connect the Past to the Present

Summary

This is an abstract from the "SAA 2023: Individual Abstracts" session, at the 88th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

Intact Native American pottery is rarely recovered from archaeological sites throughout New England. When it is observed, sherds tend to be small and lack integrity. During excavations along a power line corridor for a Cultural Resource Management survey, over 25 sherds of intact Native American pottery were recovered. New England, specifically Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts, yield fairly acidic soils, which do not lend to the preservation of these types of materials. To find over 25 sherds of well-preserved, intact pottery is a rarity. This discovery is not only remarkable to the archaeological community, it also holds importance to the local Native American communities. In this poster, we will explore the sherds themselves in terms of form, temper, thickness, and decoration. In addition, we will explore usage of the vessel whether it be agricultural, aquatic, or otherwise. Ultimately, we would hope to connect present Tribal communities to their past and gain insight upon Native ceramic traditions in this region.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• SAA 2023: Individual Abstracts   •
• Society for American Archaeology 88th Annual Meeting, Portland, OR (2023)

Keywords

Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 37110.0