Possible Antecedents of the Middle Mississippian Ceramic Complex in Northeastern Arkansas

Abstract

The ceramic complex of the Middle Mississippian phase in northeast Arkansas is comparatively well known, though its origin and relationships are still obscure. Holmes and Moore described and classified this ware, but were unable to place it chronologically. Vaillant later pointed out certain striking analogies between the vessel forms from this area and those from Mexico, Central and South America, but his study was made from the standpoint of horizontal distribution.Although the examples which he illustrates are quite suggestive of a Latin American origin, Vaillant's hypothesis is most strongly supported by specific types which have a composite silhouette. It is true that these forms are characteristic of the Arkansas Middle Mississippian complex; but they are complemented by a great number of simple vessels which are either plain or have elementary intaglio and relief designs.

A Cultural Resources Survey of the River Trace Permit Area Marion, Crittenden County, Arkansas

“…Mississippian period sites associated with mound complexes have been the suhbject of much archaeological interest over the years (see Palmer, 1917;Dellinger and Dickinson 1940;Perino 1966Perino , 1967. Building on previous work by Phillips, Ford and Griffin (1951) and Phillips (1970), recent research on the Walls phase are reported by G. Smith (1990) and McNutt and Lumb (1989).…”

Analysis and Interpretation of Artifact Collections from four Archaeological Sites within the Country Club Gardens Permit Area, West Memphis, Crittenden County, Arkansas

“…Mississippian period sites associated, with mound complexes have been the subject of much archaeological interest over the years (see Palmer 1917; Dellinger and Dickinson 1940;Perino 1966Perino , 1967. Building on previous work by Phillips, Ford and Griffin (1951) and Phillips (1970), recent research on the Walls phase is reported by Smith (1990) and Lumb and McNutt (1988).…”