Fie (2000)
An Integrative Study of Ceramic Exchange During the Illinois Valley Middle Woodland Period
Abstract
This dissertation examines the role of exchange in the interaction of Middle Woodland groups within Lower Illinois Valley. This study posits that intra-regional exchange was important in the maintenance of social relationships within this region, and that such transaction included a variety of materials and the involvement of the larger social membership. This thesis contrasts with past models of interaction which emphasize the circulation of high-status goods between regional elites. To evaluate this thesis, ceramic sherds from six Lower Illinois Valley sites and samples of surrounding clays are analyzed using neutron activation. Statistical evaluation of these elemental data reveals the presence of foreign ceramics in all of the site samples, and confirms the regular transport of vessels within the Lower Illinois Valley region. Interpretation of these results relies on the occurrence of foreign sherds within the settlement system and comparisons with other archaeological distributions. Their incidence in transaction center and habitation assemblages is, accordingly, taken as evidence of intraregional exchange and interaction. These results have several implications for models of Middle Woodland interaction. While confirming the importance of intra-regional exchange, these results also establish that utilitarian vessels were common commodities within these exchange networks. Since utilitarian ceramics were probably not socially-restricted items, their circulation implicates the participation of non-elites. Assuming that these diverse ceramics represent contacts with foreign groups, they also suggest a diffuse network of interaction that involved the movement of people as well as goods. Finally, an expectation of possible use in inter-group interaction and exchange may explain the proliferation of decoration on these utilitarian vessels.
These results complement previous models of Middle Woodland exchange by documenting a sphere of interaction that linked individuals and groups through less formal exchanges of subsistence-maintenance goods. The resulting lattice of relationships likely augmented more formal alliances, but also provided opportunities for individuals to pursue partnerships in other areas or regions. Taken together, these findings argue for a model of exchange that recognizes multiple scales of interaction, a variety of commodities, and the participation of all social group members.
Number of samples in dataset: 395
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