HOLMES] 



USES OF POTTERY 



27 



vessel maj^ have been practiced for some time after the introduction 

 of potter}^ as a survival of the preceramic usage, and was ])robal)ly 

 resorted to on occasion by many primitive peoples. 



In cases, probably, the earthen \'essel was suspended over the tire l>y 

 means of poles, vines, and cords, as shown in figure 2. from School- 

 craft's Indian Tribes. This method of suspension is made possible by 

 the attachment of strong' ears or handles, by eccentric modeling' of 

 the rim — such as accentuated incurving or outcurving — or by perfora- 

 tion of the upper margin. As a rule, however, the vessels show no 

 indications of this kind of use, and the form is seldom such as to war- 

 rant the conclusion that suspension was intended. But a small percent- 



FiG. 2— Suspension of the vessel from a tripod. From Sehoolcraft, H. E., Historical and statistical 

 information respecting the . . . Indian tribes of the United States, part 1, plate xxir. 



age of prehistoric vessels recovered in the complete state show indica- 

 tions of use over fire. This is accounted for bj^ the fact that entire 

 vessels are mostlj- obtained from graves and were mortuary rather 

 than culinary utensils. The broken ware obtained from refuse heaps 

 and habitation sites is the debris of cooking, eating, and drinking 

 utensils, and of vessels for carrying and storing, and this very often 

 shows indications of use over fire. 



Salt-m.\k;ing Vessels 



The evaporation of saline waters for the purpose of obtaining salt 

 was carried on by the natives in several favorable localities in the 

 Mississippi valley. It is probable that the waters were evaporated by 



