Zedeno With National Science Foundation support Dr. Maria Zedeno will analyze a sample of archaeological ceramics from the site of Point of Pines located in east-central Arizona. The site saw the development of large multi-ethnic communities between ca. AD 1250 to 1400. It presents a strong prehistoric case for migration and co-residence and well dated architecture and human remains provide a secure background for the proposed ceramic study. Dr. Zedeno will identify local ceramic traditions, nonlocal ceramics obtained before migration occurred, nonlocal ceramics associated with immigration episodes, local manufacture of foreign pots, and development of hybrid technologies. This will be accomplished through the application of neutron activation and petrographic analyses to 20 samples of decorated and plainware shreds and the reconstruction of manufacturing technology. A survey to identify and sample raw material sources will also be conducted. One goal of archaeologists is to trace the movement and intermingling of different cultural groups and often this is extremely difficult to do given the limited nature of the archaeological record. The Point of Pines region is important because data derived from a number of sources indicates that just such immigration and mingling did occur. Because of its widespread use and its durability, abundant pottery remains are recovered on many sites and Dr. Zedeno will use the controlled Point of Pines situation to determine how ceramics are affected by these social processes. The work is important not for the information it will provide about this site but because the insight gained will provide a useful archaeological tool which can be used to analyze ceramics in many parts of the world. The potential impact of this research is extremely broad.
