Prehistoric ceramic sequences and patterning in southern New England: The Windsor Tradition

Date of Completion

January 1994

Keywords

Anthropology, Archaeology|Art History

Degree

Ph.D.

Abstract

In the archaeological literature of southern New England, four prehistoric ceramic traditions have been identified: (1) Windsor, (2) East River, (3) Shantok, and (4) Guida. Within each tradition, dozens of types have been identified using a variety of techniques over the past fifty years. Because of changes in analytical methods and goals over time, the ceramic typologies of this region have become increasingly difficult to apply to archaeological specimens. This reflects an inconsistency in type descriptions and a lack of formal definitions. In this thesis, the indigenous ceramic tradition of Connecticut, known as Windsor, is re-evaluated and compared against contemporary traditions. The classification system used in this study incorporates data of five kinds: (1) stylistic, (2) morphological, (3) technological, (4) chronological, and (5) spatial. The thesis presents a new classification system for archaeologists working in the region and a revised type catalogue of Windsor Tradition pottery. ^

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