ABOUT THIS BOOK

A clearly written description of the analytical procedures employed on ceramic samples obtained at Moundville and the new chronology discovered

Moundville, located on the Black Warrior River in west-central Alabama, is one of the best known and most intensively studied archaeological sites in North America. Yet, in spite of all these investigations, many aspects of the site's internal chronology remained unknown until the original 1983 publication of this volume. The author embarked on a detailed study of Moundville ceramics housed in museums and collections, and hammered out a new chronology for Moundville.This volume is a clearly written description of the analytical procedures employed on these ceramic samples and the new chronology this study revealed. Using the refined techniques outlined in this volume, it was possible for the author to trace changes in community patterns, which in turn shed light on Moundville's internal development and its place among North America's ancient cultures.

AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY

Vincas P. Steponaitis is Professor of Anthropology, Director of the Research Laboratories of Archaeology, and Chair of the Curriculum in Archaeology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

REVIEWS

“This study is stimulating, authoritative, and illustrates the research potential of museum collections. It will undoubtedly prove to be a lasting contribution to the archaeology of the American Southeast.”
—Man— -

“This book should stand for many years not only as a chronological benchmark for the last half millennium of prehistory in the Southeast, but also as a methodological classic that will be of enduring interest to archaeologists grappling with problems of chronological control and cultural process.”
—Science— -

"An important contribution to the later prehistory of Alabama."
—American Antiquity— -

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Contents

Illustrations

Tables

Preface

Acknowledgments

1 Introduction

The Site and Its Setting

Investigations at Moundville prior to 1978

Aspects of the Ceramic Sample

2 Ceramic Technology

Clays

Tempering Materials

Vessel Forming, Finishing, Decoration

Ceramic Mineralogy and Finising, and Decoration

The Effect of Paste Composition on Physical Properties

Discussion

Introduction

Types and Varieties

Representational Motifs

Painted Decoration

Basic Shapes

Secondary Shape Features

Effigy Features

Introduction to Chronology

Gravelot Geriation

Stratigraphy

Moundville I Phase

Moundville II Phase

Moundville III Phase

Summary and Discussion

Relative Dating of Vessels and Burials

Spatial Context of Vessels and Burials

Changes in Community Patterns through Time

The Late Prehistory of the Black Warrior Drainage

Some Speculations on the Causes of Change

Vessels and Shred Illustrations

Appendix A Individual Vessel Descriptions

Appendix B Vessels Indexed by Burial Number

Appendix C Stratigraphic Level Descriptions

Appedix D Shred Frequencies by Level

Tensile Strength

Thermal Dffusivity

Elasticiy

Appendix F Type- Variety Descriptions

Local Types

Nonlocal Types

Local Types

Nonlocal Types

Respresentational Motifs

Painted Decoration

Basic Shapes

Secondary Shape Features

Effigy Features

References

Index