GC-MS and Attribute Analysis of Intermountain Brownware from the Southern Great Basin of North America

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2012

Publication Title

Journal of California and Great Basin Anthropology

Volume

32

Issue

1

First page number:

65

Last page number:

75

Abstract

Intermountain Brownware pottery refers to a utilitarian ware made by late prehistoric to early historic period hunter-gatherers of southern Nevada, western Utah, and northern Arizona. The pottery, which is confined to jar forms, is typically described as thick and poorly made, but a systematic characterization of Intermountain Brownware sherds has been lacking. This paper seeks to remedy that situation. Residue and attribute analyses were undertaken on a sample of sherds to investigate the production technology, performance characteristics, and function of the vessels. We conclude that the vessels were used for boiling seeds, and that while their performance attributes may not have been ideal for this purpose, they were a necessary outcome of the production constraints imposed by the mobile lifestyle of their makers.

Disciplines

Archaeological Anthropology

Language

English


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