Type definition

Adapted from Suhm and Jelks (1962:4-5, Plate 3).

METHOD OF MANUFACTURE

Coiled.

PASTE

Temper

Fine clay-grit or a little sand, or both. Pulverized shell in specimens from central Arkansas.

Texture

Fine, compact. Surface may feel slightly sandy.

Color

Surfaces buff, light to dark brown, gray to nearly black. Cores gray to black. Fire mottling only on lighter-colored vessels.

Surface finish

Smooth to well polished.

FORM

Wall thickness

Three to five mm.

Lip

Rounded, usually turned sharply outward.

Base

Convex or only slightly flattened, no thicker than sides. Extended base or pedestal not infrequent; pedestal and body walls about same thickness.

Vessel shape and size

Principally small bottles with necks varying in shape: vertical, out-flaring, slightly tapered, or bulging slightly in middle. A few ollas known with globular bodies and small mouths. Ollas considerably larger than largest bottles.

DECORATION

Treatment

Engraving, punctating.

Designs

Sets of concentric arcs placed around body in two ways: upper sets arch upward, lower sets arch downward, fitting under the upper arches. Arches always repeated four times around body. The four uppermost lines form a square around the neck base which is often filled with small punctations made through the polished surface. The spaces at the base may also be punctated. Red, and occasionally white, pigments occur in lines.

CULTURAL AFFILIATIONS

Infrequent occurrence in any one site but has been found in components of Titus, Belcher, Texarkana, and Mid-Ouachita foci.

DISTRIBUTION

Whole northeastern corner of Texas, northwestern corner of Louisiana, and southwestern Arkansas to the vicinity of Hot Springs.

ESTIMATED AGE

CE 1200-1500.