Symbolic, Cognitive, and Technological Dimensions of Orr Phase Oneota Ceramics

332 p.Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2000.The analysis of ceramics can provide a wide range of information about the contexts in which they were made and used. This analysis demonstrates the potential inherent in investigating social issues through the application of comprehensive analytical techniques to Oneota tradition ceramics. A sample of ceramic vessels and sherds from historic Orr phase occupations of the Upper Iowa and Riceford Creek localities of the La Crosse region are analyzed according to patterns of variability inherent in their manufacture, decoration, and use. In addition, because ethnoarchaeological research has demonstrated utility for archaeological analysis, the study of contemporary pottery manufacture and use from the West Indian island of Nevis is incorporated. Together, the archaeological and ethnographic analyses illustrate the various types of cultural information inherent in ceramic variability. As a result, this analysis identifies the technological, symbolic and cognitive factors involved in contexts of technological change, and demonstrates the manner in which social information is embedded within objects of material culture.U of I OnlyRestricted to the U of I community idenfinitely during batch ingest of legacy ETD