180 ABORIGINAL 1>0TTERY 0¥ EASTERN UNITED STATES [eth. an.n.20 



POTTERY OF THP] APPALACHEE-OHIO PROVINCE 



The pottery of a largo area lying l)etween the Appalachian ranges 

 and the Ohio river is difficult of characterization. The ceramic con- 

 ditions in certain parts are apparently such as might result from an 

 intermingling of the work of ])eoples fi'oni the North, West, South, 

 and Pyast. while in other sections the ware of a single style ^jrevails. 

 Collections have not been made with sufficient care to enable us to saj^ 

 what is the nature of the association of the different exotic forms 

 and features with products of more strictly local development. In 

 many localities in East Tennessee we find together specimens of the 

 stamped ware of the South Appalachian district, the jjolished bowls, 

 pots, and bottles of the Mississippi region, vessels that resemble 

 quite closely the ware of the valley of the Ohio on the north, and 



others almost identical 

 with those of the Gulf 

 province on the south. 

 The stamped ware of 

 tlie East Tennessee dis- 

 trict does not always 

 repeat the forms and 

 patterns of the South 

 Ai)palachian region 

 with accuracy, but ex- 

 hibits, in cases, decided 

 individuality. In like 

 manner pottery of 

 western appearance is 

 not typical of the West, 

 but has a local flavor. The high-necked bottles, the' humpback fig- 

 ures, the grotesque animal forms, and the red and white painted dec- 

 oration are apparently wanting. 



From mounds, graves, and dwelling sites over a large part of the 

 pro\-ince we have examples of a variety of ware, mostly shell-tempered, 

 and consisting largely of culinary vessels, the strongest characteristic 

 of which is the looped handles connecting the rim with the neck or 

 shoulder. These handles are of many styles and vary in number from 

 two to eight to a vessel. They are sometimes elaborated into ani- 

 mal figures, as is seen in figui'e 66, but generally they are less care- 

 fully worked out than in the West. Besides the two animal-shaped 

 loops, placed on opposite sides of the rim of this vase, there are alter- 

 nating comb-like ornaments, which probably represent some animal 

 feature, set on the shoulder of the vessel. It is possible they stand for 

 the hand or for a wing, and may thus be a conventionalized form of 

 animal symbol common in the Central Southern states. This piece 



Fig. 06 — Vessel with animal-shaped handles, from ii mound oi 

 Fains islaml. .TefTerson county, Tennessee. 



