136 ABORIGINAL I'OTTKKY <>K EASTKKiV UNITED ^^TATES [kth.ann.20 



surface, whei'u a paddlr oi- stamp could not bc> employed. That this 

 was recognized as one of tli.e functions of the stamp is shown b}' the 

 fact that in many neatly finished vessels, where certain portions 

 received a smooth tinish, the paddle had first been used over the entire 

 vessel, the pattern being afterward worked down with a polishing 

 stone. However, the beauty of the designs employed and the care 

 and taste with which they were applied to the vases bear ample testi- 

 mony to the fact that the function of the stamp as used in this prov- 

 ince was largely esthetic. It may be safely assumed, in addition, that 

 in many cases the figures were significant or symbolic. The use of 

 stamps and stiimp-like tools in other regions will ))e mentioned under 

 the prop(»i' headings. 



Examples 



VASES 



The specimens shown in plate cxv may well be taken as ty])es of 

 the larger vessels of the Appalachian variety. The large vesscd <i is 

 blackened by use over fire, and it not unlikely served the humble 

 purpose of preparing food messes for the family, somewhat after the 

 manner so graphically described and illustrated in Hariot's history of 

 the Roanoke colony," and shown in plate ii. It is nearly synmietric, 

 is 1<) inches in height and the same in diameter, and has a capacity of 

 about 15 gallons. The paddle-stamp has been carefully used, giving 

 a pretty uniform all-over pattern; the design is shown three-fourths 

 actual size in plate cxivw. The rim is decorated with two encircling 

 lines of annular indentations and four small nodes indented in the 

 center, placed at equal intei'vals about the exterior. 



From the same mound with th(> above several other similar vessels 

 were o])tained. two of them being larger than the one illustrated. 

 Some fine, large bowls from the .same mound have the entire exterior 

 surface dei'orated with the usual compound filfot stami). One of these 

 is pi'csented in the lower figure, plate cxv J. 



The handsome vessel illusti'ated in plate cxvi was uncovered by the 

 plow on Ossabaw island, Chatham county. Geoi'gia. The negroes who 

 discovered it at once reburied it. The managin- of the place, learning 

 of this, dug it up again. Within the vase were the bones of a child, 

 with a few beads and ornaments. The bones were reinterred by the 

 negroes, wlio feared that bad luck would follow wanton disturl)ance 

 of the dead. A bowl, jjarts onh^ of which wer(> sa\ed, was inverted 

 over the toj) of the urn, and had prevented the earth from accunudat- 

 ing within. The specimens were ac(iuired by Mr William Harden, of 

 Savannah, who presenti'd them to the Bureau of American Ethnology. 

 This vase corresponds fully in matcu'ial, shape, and finish with otliers 

 from various j)arts of the Appalachian region. Tlie stamped ])attern 



oHaricit. Tliomiis. A brief luiil trm> rcpdrt of tlii' iiiw rmui.l Imid i>i Virginia, Frauklurt, l.i9U. pi. xv. 



