Cob Impressed Pottery

Illustrated Specimens

Potsherds.

Sample Size

N=15.

Distribution

14 specimens from Occaneechi features, one specimen from Feature 30 (Haw River phase).

Paste

Method of Manufacture: Coiling with use of paddle-and-anvil technique.

Temper: Sherds are tempered with sand (86.7%) and fine crushed feldspar (13.3%).

Texture: Mostly coarse and gritty.

Hardness: 2.5-3.5.

Color: Same as Dan River Net Impressed.

Surface Finish (Exterior)

The surface has been impressed with a dried corncob, applied by rolling across the vessel exterior.

Surface Finish (Interior)

Ten of 13 sherds with preserved interior surfaces were smoothed; the remainder were scraped.

Decoration

One of four rimsherds have V-shaped notches along the lip.

Form

Rim: The four rimsherds have everted and rolled (n=2), everted (n=1), and indeterminate (n=1) rim profiles.

Lip: All rimsherds have rounded lips.

Body: Only restricted jar forms are represented.

Base: No data.

Thickness: 4-6 mm (13.3%), 6-8 mm (80.0%), Indeterminate (6.7%).

Size: No data.

Comments

Cob-impressed pottery occurs as a minority type in sherd assemblages from both late prehistoric and protohistoric sites within the northern North Carolina Piedmont, including the nearby Jenrette (31Or231a) and Wall (31Or11) sites (see map), and the Lower Saratown (31Rk1) and Mitchum (31Ch452) sites (see map). Although most sherds came from historic features, their association with the Occaneechi occupation at the Fredricks site is uncertain.