Northeast Subsistence-Settlement Change: A.D. 700 –1300

CHAPTER 7
EARLY LATE PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT:
A View From Northcentral Pennsylvania
Christina B. Rieth
INTRODUCTION
Archaeological investigations in northcentral
Pennsylvania have produced a wealth of information
relating to the early Late Prehistoric (A.D. 700-1300)
occupation of the region. Derived largely from cultural
resource management excavations, museum and
academic field projects, and advocational “digs,” these
studies have contributed to our understanding of the
use and occupation of both small and large sedentary
settlements (Bressler 1980; Custer et al. 1996:1-54; East
et al. 1988; Garrahan 1990:5-13; Hatch 1980; Jones 1971;
Lucy 1991a:172-179; Lucy and Vanderpoel 1979;
Michaels 1994:28-40; Michaels and Huner 1968; Smith
1977:27-29; Stewart 1994:63-171), the exploitation of the
local environment (Hart and Asch Sidell 1996; Hatch
and Stevenson 1980:140-170; King 1999:18-20; Michaels
and Smith 1967; Shaffer 1998:33-34), and short- and
long-term changes in material culture (Hatch and
Koontz 1983:18-19; Kent et al. 1971:329-330; Lucy 1991;
McCann 1971). In many of these studies, ceramic types
represent important units of analysis used to reconstruct
prehistoric settlement and subsistence strategies.
In northcentral Pennsylvania, the early Late
Prehistoric period is characterized by the Clemson
Island and Owasco ceramic traditions. Similarities
between Clemson Island and Owasco ceramics include
the use of cord-wrapped stick and paddle impressions
on the exterior surface (Hay et al. 1987; Lucy 1959;
McCann 1971), the presence of a flat, slightly outflaring
rim (Schwartz 1985), and the use of both paddle
and anvil, and coiling techniques in ceramic manufacture
(Lucy and McCann 1983:6-8; Lucy and
Vanderpoel 1979; Prezzano 1986; Rieth 1997; Stewart
1994:139). Differences in decorative attributes (e.g.,
presence of nodes and punctates around interior and
exterior rim, use of overstamping on container neck
and body, etc.), preparation of the ceramic paste, and
firing techniques have also been recognized (McCann
1971; Smith, pers. comm. 1987 as cited in Stewart
1994:13).
The spatial distributions of Clemson Island and
Owasco ceramics in northcentral Pennsylvania show
a considerable overlap (Lucy 1959, 1991a; Shaffer
1998:31-32; Stewart 1990). As a result, archaeologists
often consider similarities in decorative and form
attributes to be indicators of interaction and information
exchange between distinct cultural groups
(Garrahan 1990; Lucy 1991a; Ritchie and Funk 1973;
Stewart 1994). Despite similarities in decoration, several
archaeologists have reported differences in the
paste of these containers, suggesting that different
resource deposits may have been exploited by the
manufacturers of these vessels. If the use of different
resources can be demonstrated, such information
would not only signify the use of different resource
procurement zones within a larger settlement system
(Lizee et al. 1995), but would also provide information
about the utility of culture-historic types within
archaeology.
In this chapter, I explore the relationship between
culture-historic types and manufacturing techniques
by comparing the ceramic assemblages from four early
Late Prehistoric sites in northcentral Pennsylvania:
Fisher Farm, Tioga Point Farm, Wells, and St.
Anthony’s. Since these ceramic assemblages exhibit a
high degree of stylistic similarity, trace element analysis
was used to address three questions: (1) Are the
ceramic sherds from these four sites manufactured
from local or nonlocal clays?; (2) Is there a correlation
between culture-historic types and the clays that were
used in the production of these containers?; and (3)
What are the implications for understanding early Late
Prehistoric settlement?
Northeast Subsistence-Settlement Change: A.D. 700–1300 by John P. Hart and Christina B. Rieth. New York State Museum
© 2002 by the University of the State of New York, The State Education Department, Albany, New York. All rights reserved.
Chapter 7 Early Late Prehistoric Settlement: A View from Northcentral Pennsylvania 135