What Lies Beneath the Surface: A Ceramic Technology Approach to Iroquoian Pottery

Abstract

High collared pottery rim sherds from sites designated as Huron-Wendat and St. Lawrence Iroquoian are analysed using a community of practice approach. Using several analytical methods on the same ceramic sherds, we aimed to determine the technological choices made by potters. We focused specifically on clay selection, temper selection and processing, preparation of the clay body and formation of the rim. Our findings demonstrate that for each step in the production process there are a range of practices represented within the study region. However, comparison with adjacent areas and earlier periods shows that there is consistency in technological choices that are specific to our study area. We argue that this is consistent with connections between the pottery making traditions in the Simcoe Uplands in Ontario and the St. Lawrence Valley areas. As traditions were maintained by people, so we envision connected communities across the study area.