essay

Cultural interaction within Swift Creek society: people, pots and paddles

world engraved : archaeology of the swift creek culture • Tuscaloosa • Published In 1998 • Pages: 130-153

By: Stoltman, James B., Snow, Frankie.

Abstract

The goal of this study was to use petrographic analyses to evaluate the between-site distribution of designs to determine whether it was the pots or the paddles that had circulated between communities. Sixty-nine sherds from eleven sites were studied. Stoltmand and Snow found that both pots and paddles had moved between the communities. 'One surprising finding was the recognition of metamorphic rock temper in vessels from seven sites, all of which are located on the Coastal Plain well removed from the Piedmont where such rocks must have originated.' (page 24). This could mean finished vessels came from the Piedmont area or the rocks for the temper were obtained either by trade of travel. The authors speculate the 'circulation of paddles involves the physical movement of potters. [Such as] the movement of a newly married potter from one community to another…' (page 152) or the seasonal movement of the community. The circulation of vessels 'is more likely to have been associated with …gift giving or ritual feasting…' (page 152).

HRAF PubDate

2005

Region

North America

Sub Region

Eastern Woodlands

Document Type

essay

Evaluation

Creator Type

Archaeologist

Document Rating

4: Excellent Secondary Data

Analyst

Sarah Berry ; 2003

Field Date

not specified

Coverage Date

Swift Creek

Coverage Place

Hartford site (9PU1) and Milamo site (9WL1), south Georgia, United States

Notes

James B. Stoltman and Frankie Snow

For bibliographical references see 9: Williams and Elliot

LCCN

98009001

LCSH

Woodland culture