Date of Graduation
5-2024
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology
Degree Level
Undergraduate
Department
Anthropology
Advisor/Mentor
Jessica Kowalski
Abstract
Ceramic assemblages from Mississippian mound centers in eastern Arkansas have been used to distinguished distinct communities in the Central Mississippi Alluvial Valley (CMV). While archeologists have considered how the relative frequency of fine ware to coarse ware may differentiate communities, they have rarely looked at whole vessels in the CMV to describe practices related to food consumption, preparation, or serving, nor have they considered if vessel forms or decorations can distinguish communities or phases. In this thesis, I analyzed 800 whole vessels from Parkin and Nodena phase sites (A.D. 1400-1550) and quantified differences according to variables such as paste recipe, decorations, and vessel form. Using these metrics, I concluded that Parkin and Nodena phase vessels were remarkably similar in form and stylistic preferences. This lack of variability in vessel form suggests that communities (phases as conceived) in eastern Arkansas were engaging in constant interaction, and/or these communities were engaged in similar activities.
Keywords
Central Mississippi River Valley; Parkin Phase; Nodena Phase; Ceramics
Citation
Bozard, L. (2024). A Three-Dimensional Analysis of Parkin Phase Vessels, ca. AD 1450, Eastern Arkansas. Anthropology Undergraduate Honors Theses Retrieved from https://scholarworks.uark.edu/anthuht/19
