Exploring Ceramic Vessel Use at Casas Grandes, Chihuahua, Mexico, Through Use-Alteration Analyses

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Exploring Ceramic Vessel Use at Casas Grandes, Chihuahua, Mexico, Through Use-Alteration Analyses Brigham Young University BYU ScholarsArchive Theses and Dissertations 2018-08-01 Exploring Ceramic Vessel Use at Casas Grandes, Chihuahua, Mexico, Through Use-Alteration Analyses Jessica Simpson Brigham Young University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd Part of the Anthropology Commons BYU ScholarsArchive Citation Simpson, Jessica, "Exploring Ceramic Vessel Use at Casas Grandes, Chihuahua, Mexico, Through Use- Alteration Analyses" (2018). Theses and Dissertations. 6955. https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd/6955 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by BYU ScholarsArchive. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of BYU ScholarsArchive. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected]. Exploring Ceramic Vessel Use at Casas Grandes, Chihuahua, Mexico Through Use-Alteration Analyses Jessica Simpson A thesis submitted to the faculty of Brigham Young University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts Michael T. Searcy, Chair James Allison John E. Clark Department of Anthropology Brigham Young University Copyright © 2018 Jessica Simpson All Rights Reserved ABSTRACT Exploring Ceramic Vessel Use at Casas Grandes, Chihuahua, Mexico Through Use-Alteration Analyses Jessica Simpson Department of Anthropology, BYU Master of Arts The Casas Grandes Valley is located in the northwestern corner of the modern state of Chihuahua, Mexico. This area falls into the greater Northwest/Southwest cultural region. Research conducted on Casas Grandes ceramics up to this point has focused on form and design in connection with burials, authority, sociopolitical organization, ceremony and ritual, communication, and identifying cultural boundaries and influences. Very little has been said about some of the everyday uses of Casas Grandes ceramics. My thesis explores the evidences of use on ceramic vessels in the Casas Grandes region during the Medio period (AD 1200-1450). I conducted a use-alteration analysis on the interiors and exteriors of 300 vessels. The purpose of this study was to examine the question: how were the vessels used by the people of Casas Grandes? These analyses suggest that the vessels were typically used for separate but not altogether distinct use activities. All vessels had some evidences of wear, regardless of vessel form, size, or decoration. The general use patterns followed some intended functional categories, with enough variety to suggest vessels were also used according to individual needs. Keywords: Casas Grandes, Paquimé, ceramics, use-alteration, use wear ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I want to thank Dr. Mike Searcy for being such a fabulous committee chair and mentor. Thank you for guiding me, reading endless drafts, encouraging me, and for believing in my abilities as an archaeologist. To the rest of my committee, Dr. James Allison and Dr. John Clark for helping me write a good thesis and encouraging me to work hard. An additional thank you to Dr. Clark for teaching the best theory course in the history of the Anthropology Department. “Archaeology at Hogwarts” contains some of the most enjoyable papers I’ve written. To my Dad, for being my project manager, checking in with me each week, and for pushing me when I wanted to be done. To my Mom for listening and being my greatest cheerleader. To Kylie, for bringing me Diet Coke, doing the dishes, and always being a listening ear. Thank you for reminding me that when it came down to Netflix or my thesis, I should choose my thesis. To the Amerind Museum for allowing me to analyze some of the vessels in your collection, and to Eric Kaldahl for providing everything I needed during my week there. Visiting the Foundation was one of the highlights of my time in graduate school. To the Museum of Peoples and Cultures for the use of your collections in my analysis, and for providing work and computer space to complete my thesis. To Haylie Ferguson for helping me create the map of Casas Grandes, and a special thank you to Paul Stavast. Thank you for encouraging me, teaching me about how to ask questions and think critically, and for being a true friend. Lastly, to the God of Heaven: thank you for helping me grow and evolve into my adult self during all this. Thank you for listening during every tearful or angry prayer, for helping me learn how to ask the right questions and how to get the best answers. Thank you for letting me choose. I became something powerful and strong along the way. TABLE OF CONTENTS Title Page ......................................................................................................................................... i Abstract ........................................................................................................................................... ii Acknowledgements ......................................................................................................................... iii List of Figures ............................................................................................................................... vii List of Tables .................................................................................................................................... x 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 1 A Word about Intended Function ................................................................................................ 4 2. Introducing Casas Grandes ..................................................................................................... 6 Archaeology in Casas Grandes ................................................................................................... 9 Joint Casas Grandes Expedition ............................................................................................ 10 Exploring Casas Grandes after the JCGE .............................................................................. 11 Casas Grandes Ceramics ....................................................................................................... 12 Use-alteration Analyses on Casas Grandes Ceramics ............................................................... 15 3. Methods and Sample............................................................................................................... 17 Ceramic Collections .................................................................................................................. 19 The Sample ................................................................................................................................ 20 Casas Grandes Ceramic Types .............................................................................................. 22 Data Collection .......................................................................................................................... 30 Assumptions and Analytical Issues ........................................................................................... 39 4. Analytical Results.................................................................................................................... 40 Vessel Morphology ................................................................................................................... 40 Evidence of Use-alteration ........................................................................................................ 48 Abrasion................................................................................................................................. 48 Cracks .................................................................................................................................... 56 Soot ........................................................................................................................................ 62 Delamination ......................................................................................................................... 72 Discoloration ......................................................................................................................... 80 Fireclouds .............................................................................................................................. 85 Flaking ................................................................................................................................... 88 Indeterminate ......................................................................................................................... 93 Mend Holes............................................................................................................................ 97 iv Missing Pieces ....................................................................................................................... 99 Modern Repair ..................................................................................................................... 103 Nick-Chip-Gouge ................................................................................................................ 106 Oxidation ............................................................................................................................. 114 Patches ................................................................................................................................. 117 Perforations .........................................................................................................................
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