The articulated skeleton of a deer (Odocoileus virginianus) was recovered from a depth of 10 feet under the bed of Pymatuning Creek, Mercer County, Pennsylvania, in sands and silts of Pleistocene origin. A radiocarbon date of 1150 ± 100 years B.P. (I-650) and wood of broad-leaved, deciduous trees establish a Postglacial origin for the skeleton. Deposition is believed to have been effected by stream meander in reworked Pleistocene valley outwash.

Samples of charcoal recovered from excavated sites were treated with strong acid, followed by strong base. This process removes most of the inorganic carbonates and organic compounds, leaving highly condensed or elementary carbon. The fixed carbon content of the specimens from four sites varied widely and indicated different sources of organic matter. Each charcoal, therefore, has a characteristic chemical composition.

Olson’s review of Jeddito 264 is criticized because it attributes to the author remarks that are quotations from other publications. The interpretation of Mogollon and Anasazi as cultural traditions is discussed, as well as the manufacture of unslipped red pottery in the Anasazi area. A number of questions are posed concerning the late prehistory of the Southwest, with particular reference to the Athapaskans and the Yaqui.

Two recent publications offer stimulating generalizations about pottery analysis. Weaver (1963) considers how archaeologists can secure assistance in pottery analysis. Fontana and others (1962) question the cultural significance of temper. Advice in both studies is based on pottery from a simple level of technological development. A broader view of contemporary potters' techniques shows that paste composition may or may not have cultural significance. Simple rules of analysis are misleading because of the complexity of pottery and the varied role it has played in culture.

The modern study of the marks of function is tending to correct names that were too easily accepted in the past. Objection is made to the use of the word “rouletting” for the dotted-line decoration on some Indian clay pipes, and it is shown how these dots may be produced with a section of the rim of a clam shell (Venus mercenaria).

Weaver draws conclusions that need to be supported by more experimentation before they can be taken seriously by archaeologists. Thin-section analysis of ceramics from the St. Louis area has yielded certain facts that are briefly presented in order to show that grog-tempering is common in the Mississippi valley. Crushed-sherd tempering is a cultural reality and does not represent inclusions in potter's clay as Weaver suggests.

Some archaeologists make a partial or total confusion of Quiché and Maya culture and history during the Classic period. The historic developments of these two peoples are completely different. Borhegyi's criticism reveals the contradiction that may arise from this confusion. His review is primarily concerned with three paragraphs of my book and is refuted by citation of pertinent archaeological data.

Pottery with overall cording as the only form of decoration (both internally and externally) is reported from a site in eastern Ontario. This pottery came from a level overlain by a Middle Woodland component. As overall cording is not a Hopewellian trait, and as Hopewellian is believed to have influenced Woodland, it will be of interest to determine the age of this early level. Radiocarbon dates from this level, when compared with dates from similar culture levels in New York, should throw light on the direction of the spread of corded pottery into the Northeast.

A method is presented by which sections of soil profiles are preserved through the use of liquid casein glue. The method may be used in most soils encountered by the archaeologist, and requires only materials frequently to be found in the archaeological field camp.