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Cooperative harvesting of aquatic resources and the beginning of pottery production in north-eastern North America

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 January 2015

Karine Taché  and
Oliver E. Craig
Karine Taché
Affiliation:
BioArCh, Department of Archaeology, University of York, Heslington, York YO10 5DD, UK Department of Anthropology, Queens College, 65-30 Kissena Blvd, Queens, NY 11367, USA
Oliver E. Craig
Affiliation:
BioArCh, Department of Archaeology, University of York, Heslington, York YO10 5DD, UK
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Abstract

What benefits were derived from the invention of pottery, and why did ceramics remain marginal for so long? The increasing use of pottery has been seen as a response to large-scale harvesting in a model that favours economic advantage through increased efficiency. This paper challenges that view; combining carbon and nitrogen isotope and lipid analysis, the authors argue that pottery was used selectively for storing or processing valued exchange commodities such as fish oil. Its use can be seen as part of broader developments in hunter-gatherer society, featuring seasonal gatherings, collective feasting and a new articulation of social relations.

Keywords

North Americahunter-gathererspottery productionaquatic resourcescarbon isotopesnitrogen isotopeslipid analysisVinette 1 potterysocial gatherings
Type
Method
Information
Antiquity , Volume 89 , Issue 343 , February 2015 , pp. 177 - 190
Copyright
Copyright © Antiquity Publications Ltd., 2015 

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