Robert C. Mainfort

TAXA REPRESENTED BY FISH EFFIGY CERAMIC VESSELS IN THE MIDSOUTH

Abstract The notion that prehistoric Native American portrayal of fish on ceramic vessels is conventionalized and nonrepresentational is not uncommon among archaeologists, although Phillips (1939) allowed that “quite possibly a careful analysis of such factors as shape and arrangement of fins, eye treatment, etc. might bring out significant differentia.” Taking up this challenge, we demonstrate that much of the variability seen in Mississippian fish effigy vessels is naturalistic and served to distinguish specific families and species of fish found in the central Mississippi Valley and the Southeast in general.

Sociotechnic Celts from the Upper Nodena Site, Northeast Arkansas

Abstract In 1932, four spatulate celts and a cannel coal celt were found with human burials during excavations at the Upper Nodena site in northeast Arkansas. All were found within a restricted area designated by the excavators as “Mound C.” The number of sociotechnic celts from controlled excavations is unprecedented among late period sites in the central Mississippi River valley. This paper presents a description of the artifacts and discusses their context and significance.