36 



ABORIGINAL POTTERY OF EASTERN UNITED STATES [eth. a.n-n-.20 



Fig. 7 — Probiitjlo nianncr of vising earthenware model- 

 ing tools: ^i as an interior support, r as a modeling 

 or decorating paddle, d as a polishing implement. 



or throe lobes or prong.s. When placed .stem downward these imple- 

 ments very closely resemble an ordinary form of toadstool. They 

 have been regarded by some as stoppers for bottles, but this was 

 certainly not their normal use. and (ieneral Thruston is probabh' 

 rig'lit in classing them as modeling tools for pottery making. The 

 convex surfac(> is smooth, often retaining the peculiar polish that 

 comes from long us(\ Th(> form is exactly suited to use in supporting 



the wall of the .semiplastic vase 

 o from within while the manipu- 



lation of the outer surface is 

 going on with paddles orother 

 modeling or decorating tools 

 (see figure 7). It is true that 

 all forms of these objects may 

 have been used in rubbing sur- 

 faces under manipulation or in 

 pulverizing substances in mor- 

 tars, taking the place of mullers 

 or pestles of wood and stone, 

 and this was the view of Dr Jo- 

 seph Jones M'ith respect to the 

 loop-handled variety. When a 

 number of these objects of both forais are placed together, with the 

 polished convex surface to the front, all are seen to be identical in 

 appearance, .save that a few of the loop-handled variety are oval in 

 outline (see plate xxxvi). 



Baked-ci^.w OppERiNd Recept.\cles 



Another not uncommon use of baked clay was in the construction of 

 .sacrificial basins or altars. Dr Joseph Jones in the following para- 

 graph describes the u.se of a large shallow receptacle not differing 

 materialh' from the salt pans alreadj' described: 



In the center of the iiiunnd, about 3 feet from its .surface, I uncovered a large 

 sacrificial vase or altar, 43 Indies in diameter, composed of a mixture of clay and 

 river shelLs. The rim of the vase was 3 inches in height. The entire vessel had 

 been molded in a large wicker basket formed of split canes and the leaves of the 

 cane, the impres.sions of which were plainly visible upon the outer surface. The cir- 

 cle of the vase ajipeared to be almost matheinatically correct. The surface of the 

 altar was covered with a layer of ashes aliout I inch in thickness, and these ashes 

 had the appearance and composition of having been derived from the burning of 

 animal matter. The antlers and jawbone of a deer were found resting upon the sur- 

 face of the altar. The edges of the vase, which had been broken off apparently by 

 an accident during the performance of the religious ceremonies, were carefully laid 

 over the layer of ashes, and the whole covered with earth near 3 feet in thickness, and 

 thus the ashes had been preserved to a remarkable extent from the action of the rains. " 



"Jones, .Tosepli. The aboriginal mound-bnilders of Tennessee, in .\merioan Xatnralist, Salem, 1869, 

 vol. ni, p. lis. 



