Complicated Stamped Pottery

Illustrated Specimens

Potsherd.

Sample Size

N=15.

Distribution

15 specimens from Occaneechi features, no specimens from Feature 30 (Haw River phase).

Paste

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

Temper: Twelve sherds are tempered with fine sand and three contain fine crushed quartz.

Texture: Even and compact.

Hardness: 2.5-3.5.

Color: Exterior surface color ranges from dark brown (7.5YR 4/4) to very pale brown (10YR 8/4).

Surface Finish (Exterior)

Eleven sherds possess curvilinear stamp motifs while four have rectilinear stamps. No specific design elements are discernible.

Surface Finish (Interior)

All sherds interiors are smoothed.

Decoration

None.

Form

Rim: The single rimsherd was everted.

Lip: Rounded.

Body: Restricted jars?

Base: No data.

Thickness: 4-6 mm (33.3%), 6-8 mm (66.7%).

Size: No data.

Comments

Complicated stamping is a rare method of surface treatment within the Eno River drainage and occurs elsewhere (e.g., the Mitchum [31Ch452], early Upper Saratown [31Sk1], and Upper Saratown [31Sk1a] sites) as a minority treatment within Historic period contexts (Davis 1987; Wilson 1983). Whether these sherds are of a single type or represent two or more different types is uncertain; however, their association with the Historic period occupation at the Fredricks site appears likely.