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Clay Acquisition and Vessel Distribution Patterns: Neutron Activation Analysis of Late Windsor and Shantok Tradition Ceramics from Southern New England

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Jonathan M. Lizee
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, U-176, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269
Hector Neff
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, U-176, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269
Michael D. Glascock
Affiliation:
Research Reactor Center, Research Park, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211

Abstract

In southern New England, typological distinctions between Niantic, Hackney Pond, and Shantok ceramics have been used to describe changing settlement patterns for the Late Woodland (500- 350 Years B.P.) and contact (post-A.D. 1600) periods. Based on the initial typologies developed by Rouse (1947) the Shantok ceramic tradition was also considered an ethnic marker of the Mohegan and Pequot tribes based on material recovered from Fort Shantok. Reexamination of stylistic data have suggested that levels of stylistic similarity between late ceramic types actually limit their use as ethnic markers in reconstructing contact period settlement patterns (Lizee 1994; McBride 1990). In this study, neutron activation analysis is employed to determine if compositional profiles correspond with identified stylistic types. The distribution of compositional groups within the region proves to be useful in describing changes in settlement during the Late Woodland and contact periods for southeastern Connecticut. Results of this study suggest that cultural factors underlying the evolution of the historic Pequot and Mohegan tribes, and locations of focal village sites, also had an impact on access to clay resource zones at the time of European contact.

Resumen

Resumen

En el sur de Nueva Inglaterra, las distinciones tipológicas entre la cerámica Niantic, Hackney Pond, y Shantok han sido utilizadas para describir cambios en patrones de asentamiento para los períodos Woodland Tardío (500— 350 años A.P.) y contacto (pos-1600 D.C.). En base a las tipologías iniciales desarrolladas por Rouse (1947) y al material recuperado en Fort Shantok, la tradición cerámica Shantok también fue considerada como un marcador étnico de las tribus Mohegan y Pequot. Una reevaluación de los datos estilísticos han sugerido que los niveles de similítud estilística entre los tipos cerámicos tardíos actualmente limitan su uso como marcadores étnicos para la reconstrucción de patrones de asentamiento del período de contacto (Lizee 1994; McBride 1990). En este estudio, el análisis por activación neutrónica es empleado para determinar si los perfiles de composición corresponden con los tipos estilísticos identificados. La distribución de grupos de composición en la región prueban ser útiles para describir cambios en el asentamiento durantes los períodos Woodland Tardío y contacto para el sureste de Connecticut. Los resultados de este estudio sugieren que los factores culturales que influenciaron la evolución de las tribus históricas Pequot y Mohegan y la localización de los poblados focales también tuvieron un impacto en el acceso a zonas de procuramiento de arcilla durante el tiempo de contacto europeo.

Type
Reports
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for American Archaeology 1995

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