RECOVERING BORDERLANDS at the VAN BREE SITE (Aghk-32)
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POTS AND INCOHERENT CULTURE: RECOVERING BORDERLANDS AT THE VAN BREE SITE (AgHk-32). Jerhy J. Cunningham Department of Anthropology Subrnitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts Faculty of Graduate Studies The University of Western Ontario London, Ontario August 1999 O Jerirny J. Cunningham 1999 National Library Bibliothèque nationale du Canada Acquisitions and Acquisitions et Bibliographie Services services bibliographiques 395 Wellington Street 395, nie Wellington OttawaON KiAON4 Ottawa ON K1A ON4 Canada Canada The author has granted a non- L'auteur a accordé une licence non exclusive Licence ailowing the exclusive permettant à la National Libmy of Canada to Bibliothèque nationale du Canada de reproduce, loan, distribute or sel1 reproduire, prêter, distribuer ou copies of this thesis in microform, vendre des copies de cette thèse sous paper or electronic formats. la forme de microfichelfilm, de reproduction sur papier ou sur format électronique . The author retains ownershp of the L'auteur conserve la propriété du copyright in this thesis. Neither the droit d'auteur qui protège cette thèse. thesis nor substantial extracts from it Ni la thèse ni des extraits substantiels may be printed or otherwise de celle-ci ne doivent être imprimés reproduced without the author's ou autrement reproduits sans son permission. autorisation. Abstract This thesis uses non-holistic methodology to study cerarnic variation fiom the Van Bree site, a multicomponent Younge phase Western Basin and Glen Meyer site located near Arkona, Ontario. This methodology tests the assumption that cultures form homogeneous, coherent and discrete social entities by using a practice model to examine how human agents use decorative style in particular social contexts. The use of a practice model also obligates us to reconsider the a priori separation of 'Style' from 'Function', as this distinction originates in a holistic and environmental detenninist model of culture. Instead the methodology used here analyzes the ceramic variation found in particular social contexts. At Van Bree, these contexts are two distinct feature clusters that are identified fiom cerarnic crossmends. The ceramic variation within these clusters indicates that Younge and Glen Meyer represent two distinct ethnic entities which possess substantial differences in their degree of ethnic integration. Keywords: Western Basin, Glen Meyer, Archaeology and Ethnicity, Style and Function, Ceramic Variation, Practice Theory Dedication This thesis is dedicated to my grandfather, Arthur MoMis, for teaching me to have big dreams and my father, Gerry Cunningham, for teaching me how to make those dreams a reality . Perhaps one of the more interesthg parts of even a modest work like this thesis cornes fiom reflecting on the personal and intellectual debts that a researcher holds to fnends, family, mentors and peers. In hindsight, many people are responsible for my ability to undertake this thesis and for the fantastic the 1 have had whiie at Western. Because this represents my first foray into the world of professional research, 1 feel the need to acknowledge those people who have inspired and suppotted my pursuit of a career in anthropology. First, 1 would like to thank my cornmittee, particularly my supe~sorDr. Michael Spence and my advisor Dr. Alison Wylie for being mentors to me these past two years. t would also like to thank Dr. Chris Ellis for filling in at the last minute when Dr. Wylie was unable to retum to Canada for my defense. Neal Ferris suggested the Van Bree site to me as a thesis topic, and with Paul Lemox, spent a large arnount of time talking with me about the archaeology of the Western Basin. The theoretical approach used in this thesis oiiginates fiom two courses 1 took while at Western. The first cornes from a course in Symbolic Anthropology taught by Dr. Anne Brydon that stimulated my interest in the question of holism. The second course was taught by Dr. Alison Wylie and deait with the phiiosophy of science in the social sciences. This course introduced me to the debate surroundiig the unity or disunity of scientific research and, while tacit in this thesis, John Dupré's (1 993) concept of scientific disunity inspires most of my current thoughts on culture. I would also Like to thank several close fnends with whom 1 have shareû the trials and tribulations of the graduate program. In particular 1 would üke to thank Naureen Tadros and Eric Wekh who have ban steady cornpanions and Doug Campbell and Marijka Hols for our discussions of the ciiierences between archaeological and anthropologicai theory. I would Wre to thank Lida Howie-Langs and Kevin Langs for making Deanne and 1 feel so welcome in London and for throwing so many awesorne dinner parties. Linda specificaiiy has participateci in many late Nght, slurred and often heated discussions about what ceramic variability 'really means' and these discussions have added greatiy to the quality ofthis thesis. 1 would also like to acknowledge the staff of Archaeologid SeMces Inc. who provided me with the funds and experience 1 needed to conduct research on the Western Basin. Several friends in Alberta have supporteci my research from its inception and 1 would üke to acknowledge hem here. Specifically, 1 would like to thank Wes Gustavson for his longtirne fnendship and opinions on aii things academic and Alison Landals for teaching me what it means to be a good archaeologist . Most Unportant, 1 would like to thank my fdy. My parents Gerry and Tem Cunningham and my grandparents Arthur and Betty Mottus have provided emergency financial support during this degree. They have also been my greatest supporters and their steadfast belief in me, even when they are not exactly sure what 1 am doing, means everything. Finally, 1 would like to thank rny partner Deanne Robblee, for her enthusiasm, advice and companionship on this grand adventure. Table of Contents ... Ab stract ............................................................ lu Dedication .......................................................... iv Acknowledgments ..................................................... v Tableofcontents .................................................... vii ListofTables ........................................................ ix ListofFigures ........................................................ x ListofAppendies .................................................... xi Chapter 1 Introduction ............................................... 1 The Van Bree Site (A@-32) ...................................... 2 Overview ...................................................... 5 Chapter 2 Holiam in the Western Basin .................................. 7 The Critique of Holism ............................................9 Borderlands and Invisible Places ..............................11 Borderlands at Van Bree ......................................... 13 Borderlands in Younge Culture............................... 14 Discussion: Hybnd Hypothesis .............................. 17 Conclusion ....................................................19 Chapter 3 Methodology .............................................. 20 Style and Function .............................................. 20 The Systemic Mode1 of Culture and the Separation of Style and Function .......................21 Isochrestic and Iconid Style ................................. 24 The Sackett-Wiessner Debate ................................ 27 Holism and Style ......................................... 30 Conclusion .............................................. 31 Methodology .................................................. 32 Crossmends .............................................33 FeatureClusters .......................................... 35 Discussion: Implications of Feature Clusters ..................... 40 Conclusion .................................................... 44 Chapter 4 Rerults and Implications ..................................... 45 Variation within the Clusters ...................................... 46 West Ciuster ............................................. 46 Centrai Cluster ........................................... 50 Variation between the Clusteni: Attribute Analysis ...................... 52 Morphology ............................................. 54 Size ................................................... 55 Complexity .............................................. 55 Decorative Techniques ..................................... 56 Decorative Motifs ......................................... 57 Unmended Neck Sherds .................................... 58 Discussion .................................................... 58 Ethnicity and the Objectification of Culture ...................... 60 Ethnicity and Ceramic Variation in the West Cluster ............... 61 Ethnicity and Ceramic Variation in the Centrai Cluster ............. 64 Conclusion .................................................... 65 Chapter 5 Condusions ............................................... 67 List of Tables Table 2.1 : Wright's (1998) New and Old Definitions of Culture .................. 8 Table 3.1 : Table 3.1 : Cl4 Dates (Conventional) .............................. 41 Table 3.2. Table 3.2. Distribution of Lithic Raw Matenal by Cluster .............. 42 List of Figures Figure 1.1. Van Bree Site Settlement Pattern ................................. 3 Figure 3.1. Sackett's Style and Function Continuum .......................... 25 Figure 3.2. Van Bree Site Settlement