4.1.2 Ceramics (CbGu-1)

Jonathan Ferguson

A total of 70 Native ceramic sherds were recovered during the 1992 and 1997 excavations at the LaVase North Bank Site. Of this number, 53 are plain non-rim sherds. The remaining 17 specimens bear some form of decoration or mend with sherds that do. From this assemblage, 10 different vessels have been identified. Before embarking upon a vessel-by-vessel description of these finds, it is necessary to first explain their cultural context. As will be seen below, all identifiable types belong to the Ontario Iroquoian pottery tradition, despite the classification of this site as non-Iroquoian.

One of the most interesting characteristics of the Native ceramic assemblages from the LaVase River sites (both CbGu-1 and CbGu-5) is that none of the traditional Algonkian pottery types has been identified among the 1992 or 1997 finds. This is despite the fact that Lake Nipissing lies along the territorial fringes of these styles, which are found to the north and west. This Algonkian ceramic lacuna includes both the common Initial Woodland (c. 700 B.C. to A.D. 1000) Laurel and the Terminal Woodland (c. A.D. 1000 to the Historic Period) Blackduck and Selkirk traditions (Wright 1972: 59-62, 98-103, cf. Plates 14, 25, 26). Some discussion of this phenomenon has already been carried out with reference to the 1995 CbGu-5 assemblage (Archaeological Services Inc. 1996: 128-29) and the autumn 1996 CbGu-1 excavations (Defonzo 1997: 9). The following will outline the placement of Iroquoian ceramics in the wider context of Northern Ontario as well as their importance within the Nipissing culture.

In the Upper Great Lakes region, a number of otherwise Algonkian sites have yielded ceramics of Iroquoian manufacture or inspiration. While the proportion of these vessels in northern Ontario ceramic assemblages is usually small, they are nonetheless too common to be considered stray finds. For example, 'Iroquoian-like' ceramics have been recovered from Whitefish Island and the Metal Toad Site, both in the Sault Ste. Marie area. Some of these vessels are completely indistinguishable from their counterparts recovered from contexts in Huronia. Others, however, appear to be local products in the Huron style (Conway 1979a: 18). The presence of Iroquoian or Iroquoian-like pottery in smaller numbers within Algonkian contexts can even be found far to the north. The most northerly Iroquoian pottery found in Ontario, one castellated rim sherd, was recovered from the Sandy West Narrows Site on Lake Attawapiskat. Such finds point to the possibility of trade or travel across vast distances (Riddle 1982: 16, 42, cf. Figures 4d, 5).

However, questions of exchange aside, this adoption of Iroquoian-like pottery types by Algonkian peoples was in some cases carried to the point at which they dominated the ceramic record. This phenomenon has been observed in areas as diverse as Lake Abitibi and the Petawawa and Ottawa River systems (Conway 1979a: 18). The term 'Huron-like' is used to describe such vessels manufactured by Algonkian peoples after specifically Huron patterns such as the Huron Incised type (Conway 1979b: 38, cf. Figure 3i). The wholesale adoption of Iroquoian pottery styles, whether through trade or local manufacture, is visible in the Native components of the LaVase River sites.

Perhaps the closest published parallel for the LaVase River sites, both geographically and culturally, is the Frank Bay Site, also found on Lake Nipissing. The Contact Stratum of this site yielded Huron or Huron-like pottery and smoking pipes, as well as a small assortment of European goods (Ridley 1954: 48-49). The presence of this Iroquoian material culture in a predominantly Algonkian area has led to two main hypotheses for the latest component of the site:

... the top level of the Frank Bay site may have been the product of refugee Huron and Petun after their defeat by the Iroquois [1650-1670]. It is equally possible that the top level of the Frank Bay site represents an occupation by the Algonkian-speaking Nipissing Indians, a proto-Chippewa [sic] group. If this be the case, the Nipissings were either making Huron-like pottery themselves or obtaining it by trade (Quimby 1966: 112).

Other sites in the North Bay area which have yielded Iroquoian ceramic types include the Campbell Bay Site, Garden Island and Camp Island (Archaeological Services Inc. 1996: 51). Far from being anomalous, the use of Huron material culture can rather be seen as characteristic of the Nipissing people. It has been stated that, "In the Woodland era, the Indians of this zone [the French River and Lake Nipissing area] were heavily influenced by the Huron. Site distribution patterns and adoption of Huron tools and culture give this zone its identity" (Conway 1981: 6).

It need not, however, be inferred that the Nipissing were merely passive recipients of Huron pottery design. Rather, "Those eastern Algonkians closest to the Ontario Iroquois area were directly involved in the same ceramic tradition as their Iroquois neighbours from approximately 900 A.D. to the historic period" (Wright 1972: 94; my emphasis). The Nipissing, therefore, can be seen as active partners in the Ontario Iroquoian ceramic tradition. Rather than being foreign or exotic, the 'Iroquoian' pottery types discussed below were as native to this Algonkian people as to their Huron neighbours to the south.

VESSELS

The following template is used to briefly describe each vessel in as consistent a manner as possible. In order to facilitate comparison with the 1995 CbGu-5 assemblage, it was decided to model this template after the standard form used by Archaeological Services Inc. (1996: 126-27), with some modifications. For example, some of the attributes compiled by Gary A. Warrick (1984: 123-25) have been included here, because they may prove useful for subsequent studies of the social aspects of these Native ceramics. For the sake of brevity, attribute headings have been omitted from vessel descriptions where their data are not available.

Vessel Number (provenience; L: [level] D: [depth] cm; Catalogue Number)

Sherd Frequency: number of decorated or mending sherds from the same vessel

Rim Form: collared, uncollared or incipient collared

Lip Form: flat or rounded

Angle of Lip to Interior: acute, obtuse or right

Lip Width (mm): width of sherd at lip

Rim Orientation: inflaring, outflaring or straight

Interior Profile: concave, convex or straight

Exterior Profile: concave, convex or straight

Collar Height (mm): distance from base of collar to lip edge

Collar Base Shape: angled or rounded

Collar Base Width (mm): width of sherd at widest point of the collar base

Exterior Motif & Technique: method and pattern of decoration on exterior surface, used in place of the following when the location of the sherd(s) on the vessel cannot be determined (l: [length of each element in mm]; w: [width of each element in mm]; sd: [space density of repeated elements in mm])

Collar Motif & Technique: method and pattern of decoration on collar (l; w; sd [as above])

Neck Motif & Technique: method and pattern of decoration on neck (l; w; sd [as above])

Shoulder Motif & Technique: method and pattern of decoration on shoulder (l; w; sd [as above])

Interior Motif & Technique: method and pattern of decoration on interior surface (l; w; sd [as above])

Lip Motif & Technique: method and pattern of decoration on lip (l; w; sd [as above])

Maximum Temper Size (mm): maximum dimension of the largest visible piece of temper

Interior Carbon Encrustation: present or not present

Type: Iroquoian pottery decoration type

The attributes above are fairly self-explanatory, with a few exceptions. The sherd frequency given does not include any plain sherds that have been attributed to the same vessel, but do not mend to the decorated sherds. Where present, such sherds are mentioned in the discussion for that vessel. On the interior and exterior profiles, more than one shape is sometimes evident; these are arranged in descending order, from the lip downwards (e.g. 'concave/convex'). For the decorative techniques, no differentiation has here been made between incision (pushing the stylus) and trailing (pulling the stylus); both techniques are grouped together as incision. This decision was made because it is often difficult to distinguish between these similar methods and they are frequently grouped together as incision in the comparative literature (Emerson 1968: 10). It is this author's impression, however, that trailing is in fact more common than incising in this assemblage. Space density ('sd') refers to the average distance between the same point on repeated elements (e.g. from the left edge of one punctate to the left edge of the next). This average is best obtained by measuring from point to point across all the surviving elements and then dividing that length by the number of elements (Warrick 1984: 106-7).

Vessel 1 (surface; Cat No. 1-92-4) Sherd Frequency: 1 Rim Form: collared Lip Form: flat Angle of Lip to Interior: acute Lip Width (mm): 7 Rim Orientation: straight Interior Profile: straight Exterior Profile: straight/concave Collar Height (mm): 14 Collar Base Shape: angular Collar Base Width (mm): 6 Collar Motif & Technique: incised obliques (l: 13 mm; w: 2 mm; sd: 5 mm) Neck Motif & Technique: plain Interior Motif & Technique: plain Lip Motif & Technique: plain Maximum Temper Size (mm): 2 Interior Carbon Encrustation: not present Type: Huron Incised

1-92-4 CbGu-1, Vessel 1

The vertical stance of the one recovered sherd suggests that the rim orientation of Vessel 1 was straight. Had a larger portion of the neck survived, however, it might have been seen to be outflaring, the orientation found on the other vessels. No carbon encrustation is visible on the interior of the sherd; the small amount of blackening visible is likely the result of reduction during the firing process.

Vessel 1 has incised lines on its collar, which are drawn up and to the right. It is evident that these lines were incised rather than stamped, because one line has a secondary ridge which begins near its lower end, continues to either side of the line for about half of its length and then crosses the bed of the line. This appears to be result of 'touching up' the line after it was initially made. The sherd is otherwise plain, including its lip, interior and the extant portion of its neck.

This pattern seems to most closely match the Huron Incised type of Iroquoian pottery decoration, as found at the Seed Site (cf. Wright 1966: Plate 18-2). Indeed, this sherd conforms almost perfectly to the characteristics which define the Huron Incised type. This pottery type, normally found west of a line from Toronto to Lake Simcoe, occurs throughout the Huron-Petun period of c. 1350 to 1687, becoming most common in the historic phase after 1610. However, the profile of Vessel 1 matches one of the earlier varieties, with a short collar and straight interior profile (MacNeish 1952: 34, Figure 22, cf. Figure 24-110).

Vessel 2 (487/186 L: 7 D: 37 cm; Cat No. 97-9) Sherd Frequency: 2 Width: >5 (exfoliated) Exterior Profile: convex Exterior Motif & Technique: incised lines (l: >7 mm; w: 2 mm; sd: 4 mm) Maximum Temper Size (mm): 2

97-9 CbGu-1, Vessel 2

These two mending sherds represent parts of the exterior surface and central fabric of this vessel, respectively. Unfortunately, just as these two pieces have separated, so too has the missing interior surface exfoliated. The three lines incised on the exterior begin near one side of the sherd and continue off the other, rendering it impossible to measure their entire lengths. Nor does enough of this vessel remain for the orientation of these lines to be determined.

Vessel 3 (487/186 L: 7 D: 37 cm; Cat No. 97-9) Sherd Frequency: 2 Width (mm): >3 (exfoliated) Exterior Profile: convex Exterior Motif & Technique: incised line (l: >13 mm; w:>1 mm) Maximum Temper Size (mm): 2

97-9 CbGu-1, Vessel 3

When mended end to end, the two sherds of this vessel exhibit an incised line crossing the extent of their long edges. While only these two sherds remain, Vessel 3 can be distinguished from other examples (including Vessel 2 with the same catalogue number), based on its colour and fabric.

Vessel 4 (487/198 L: 1 D: 1-5 cm; Cat No. 97-76) Sherd Frequency: 2 Width (mm): >6 (exfoliated) Exterior Profile: convex Neck Motif & Technique: incised obliques (l: >16 mm; w: 3 mm; sd: 4 mm) Shoulder Motif & Technique: rectangular punctates (l: >5 mm; w: 4 mm; sd: 6 mm) Maximum Temper Size (mm): 4 Type: Black Necked (?)

97-76 CbGu-1, Vessel 4

The decoration on these two sherds is fairly shallow. Along one edge of one of the sherds are found what appear to be at least three rectangular impressions. Incised lines extend from these punctates, at a slight angle, to the other side of the sherd. The other sherd exhibits the same type of incised lines. Little can be said about this vessel because of the small proportion recovered and the ambiguous location of these sherds on the vessel. Their curvature and decorative orientation, however, suggest that the shoulder and lower portion of the neck are represented.

Within Ontario, Vessel 4 is most consistent with the Black Necked pottery type, because of the oblique lines on its neck. Decoration on the shoulders of this tradition occurs, but normally consists of oblique gashes, horizontal lines or both (MacNeish 1952: 36-37). This example would therefore need to belong to a variety of the Black Necked type with punctated shoulders. While no parallels for such a sub-type have been encountered in this study, punctation has been found on the collars of Black Necked vessels (Emerson 1968: Figures 11, 14a). The chronological and geographic distributions of Black Necked pottery will be discussed below under Vessel 8, which can be more confidently attributed to that type.

Vessel 5 (487/198 L: 2 D: 12 cm; Cat No. 97-89) Sherd Frequency: 1 Width (mm): 9 Interior Profile: concave Exterior Profile: convex Exterior Motif & Technique: incised obliques (l: >24 mm; w: 2 mm; sd: 4 mm) Interior Motif & Technique: plain Maximum Temper Size (mm): 2 Interior Carbon Encrustation: not present Type: Lawson Incised

97-89 CbGu-1, Vessel 5

The exterior surface of this sherd survives up to the edge of the lip, the remainder of which has broken away. Blackening of the dark matrix on both interior and exterior surfaces has been attributed to reduction during the firing process. A series of four lines begin near the lip and extend downwards and slightly to the right, extending beyond the edge of the sherd. That these lines were incised rather than stamped is shown by a series of fine, parallel lines within the line bed.

While these decorative elements are similar to those noted above for Huron Incised decoration, this type is differentiated from Lawson Incised by the concavity of its interior surface. Lines on Lawson Incised vessels are normally vertical or point up and to the right, but examples such as this are also known, with lines slanting up and to the left. If this vessel had a collar, it was rather high, being at least 24 mm high, but within the Lawson range of 0.5 to 1.5 inches (about 13 to 38 mm). The Lawson Incised type is most commonly found on Erie and Neutral sites in southwestern Ontario dating to the late prehistoric and historic periods (c. 1500 to 1687), but is also known in Huronian contexts (MacNeish 1952: 14, 34, 37, Figure 22, cf. Plate 1-9). On the basis of this combined evidence, therefore, Vessel 5 has been attributed to the Lawson Incised pottery type.

Vessel 6 (487/198 L: 3 D: 16 cm; Cat No. 97-97) Sherd Frequency: 1 Width (mm): >9 (exfoliated) Exterior Profile: convex Exterior Motif & Technique: incised lines (?) (l: >3 mm; w: 2 mm; sd: 3 mm) Maximum Temper Size (mm): 2

97-97 CbGu-1, Vessel 6

Only the ends of two probable incised lines and edge of a third are visible along one end of this sherd. The identification of the motif and technique, however, is not entirely certain. Given this limited information, no further analysis can be carried out on Vessel 6.

Vessel 7 (486/194 L: 6 D: 40 cm; Cat No. 97-162) Sherd Frequency: 5 Rim Form: collared Rim Orientation: outflaring Interior Profile: concave/convex Exterior Profile: convex/concave Collar Height (mm): >17 Collar Base Shape: rounded Collar Base Width (mm): 9 Collar Motif & Technique: horizontal lines of overlapping linear punches (l: >34 mm; w: 1 mm; sd: 4 mm) over linear stamped obliques (l: 8 mm; w: 2 mm; sd: 7) Interior Motif & Technique: plain Maximum Temper Size (mm): 5 Interior Carbon Encrustation: present Type: Iroquois Linear

97-162 CbGu-1, Vessel 7

Five sherds have been mended to reconstruct a portion of the upper neck and lower collar of Vessel 7. This section of the vessel was highly fragmentary, with exfoliation being especially pronounced. The two horizontal lines, discussed below, allow for the stance of the vessel to be determined, which shows that the rim flared outwards from the neck. On the interior surface can be found patches of intact carbon encrustation, which appears to have exfoliated elsewhere.

This combination of horizontals over obliques finds its best match with the Iroquois Linear pottery type, as found at the Methodist Point Site (cf. Smith 1979: Figure 12d). While this type is very similar to other techniques such as Ontario Horizontal, it is distinguished by the motor habit employed to create the horizontals. This motif of a series of overlapping linear punches, also often called the 'push and pull' technique, is clearly visible on the more intact lower horizontal. Iroquois Linear sherds have a high tendency to delaminate, a characteristic clearly visible with Vessel 7. This decorative type, found in peninsular Ontario in Neutral contexts as well as in the states of New York and Pennsylvania, is dated to roughly between 1100 and 1350, the transitional period from Owasco to Iroquois cultural traditions (MacNeish 1952: 18-19, Figure 22, cf. Plates 5-6, 17-3). In other terms, this correlates to the late Pickering (c. 1150 to 1250) and early Middle Ontario Iroquois (Uren) periods (Smith 1979: 53; Wright 1966: 43-44).

Vessel 8 (486/194 L: 6 D: 40 cm; Cat No. 97-162) Sherd Frequency: 1 Rim Orientation: outflaring Interior Profile: straight/concave Exterior Profile: concave/convex Neck Motif & Technique: incised obliques (l: >24 mm; w: 2 mm; sd: 4 mm) extending to horizontal incised line (l: >8 mm; w: 2 mm) at shoulder Interior Motif & Technique: plain Maximum Temper Size (mm): 2 Interior Carbon Encrustation: present Type: Black Necked

97-162 CbGu-1, Vessel 8

The one sherd of Vessel 8 includes parts of it's lower neck, shoulder and upper body . The concave exterior profile of the upper portion of the neck shows that the rim was outflaring. The interior surface bears considerable carbon encrustation. Oblique lines extend down and to the right along the neck, to a horizontal line at the shoulder of the vessel.

This decorative configuration is consistent with the Black Necked type of Iroquoian pottery decoration. As in this case, horizontal lines are sometimes encountered on the shoulders of Black Necked vessels. While the obliques of this type usually make opposed triangles with other sets of diagonals (MacNeish 1952: 36), examples of unidirectional obliques are also well documented (Emerson 1968: Figure 14a). More common in the earlier part of the Huronian tradition, Black Necked decoration was also produced into the historic period, for a temporal range of about 1350 to 1687. This pottery type is most commonly encountered in the Toronto area, but its range also extends to the east and, more relevantly for this study, to the north (MacNeish 1952: 36-37, Figure 22, cf. Plate 12). One Black Necked vessel, with two horizontal lines below the obliques, was found on Lake Temiskaming (Wright 1966: 190, cf. Plate 17-8). This find shows that this pottery type can be found in areas well to the north of the traditional Huron territories. In fact, any trade or travel between Huronia and Lake Temiskaming would likely have passed through the LaVase portages.

Vessel 9 (486/194 L: 6 D: 40 cm; Cat No. 97-162) Sherd Frequency: 1 Width (mm): 8 Interior Profile: concave Exterior Profile: convex Shoulder Motif & Technique: lunate punctates or fingernail imprints (l: 5 mm; w: 3 mm; sd: 5 mm) Interior Motif & Technique: plain Maximum Temper Size (mm): 3 Interior Carbon Encrustation: not present

97-162 CbGu-1, Vessel 9

The decoration on Vessel 9 is, unfortunately, quite shallow. It consists of at least four lunate punctates or fingernail imprints, three of which are in line. No further analysis of this vessel is possible, as shoulder decoration is a common element, found on a number of different pottery types.

The sherd from this vessel seems to be the upper portion of a rim, judging by what appears to be the incipient edge of the lip on the interior. This surface is quite dark, but is consistent with the reduced colour of the fabric rather than carbon encrustation. Only one side of the oblique line on the exterior survives, making the identification of pottery decoration type impossible in this case.

CONCLUSIONS

Table 2 summarizes a selection of attributes from the identified CbGu-1 Native ceramic vessels. It can easily be seen that the frequency of analyzable vessels for each attribute is far too small to allow meaningful statistical analysis. Each attribute type could only be analyzed on a small number of vessels, as shown in the "Total" column. This caveat of statistical unreliability must be kept in mind during the following discussion.

Table 2. Summary of selected attributes of the Native ceramics from the LaVase North Bank Site (CbGu-1).

First, vessels are divided by the decorative techniques (also known as motor habits) employed for their decoration. The most common technique is incision, which by itself constitutes 70% of the sample, and 80% when found in combination with punctates. These values, however, might be somewhat inaccurate, as difficulty was encountered when identifying the technique used on some vessels.

The direction of oblique lines can be used to show the right- or left-handedness of the potters. When lines slope downwards and to the left, this is usually considered a mark of right-handedness. Based on this very limited sample, it can be suggested that most (60%) of the vessels were probably made by right-handed people, a conclusion also reached at the Miller Site (Kenyon 1968: 43).

The interior rim profile and generalized motif descriptions have been included in Table S because they can serve to show the progressive or conservative position of potters within the Ontario Iroquoian ceramic tradition. Normally, a lack of convex rim interior profiles as seen here can be considered indicative of earlier or more conservative manufacture, prior to the Huron-Petun culture of the Historic Period (Wright 1974: 230). However, the extremely small sample (2 vessels) with identifiable profiles prohibits any such speculation. It has also been shown that, "In terms of general motif trends in the sequence leading up to the historic Huron-Petun horizontal motifs gradually are replaced by oblique and/or vertical motifs with the combination of these two general motif categories being considered intermediate" (Wright 1974: 235). From this standpoint, the CbGu-1 ceramics are more progressive or somewhat late in this tradition, although the sample size is again too small to be definitive.

It can be seen that, in addition to attribute analysis, the vessel descriptions above include 'types.' These are the Iroquoian pottery types as defined by MacNeish (1952) and refined by later researchers. The advantages of attribute versus type analysis have been debated for decades (see for example Emerson 1968: 74-83). While it has been argued that attribute analysis is more revealing for statistical and analytical purposes, the Iroquoian pottery typology remains current as a convenient shorthand for the communication of archaeological data (Archaeological Associates Ltd. 1996: 125-26). These factors should be kept in mind in the following typological discussion.

The Iroquoian pottery types identified among the CbGu-1 vessels, as discussed above, are shown in Table M below. As can be seen, each type is represented by only one or, in one case, two vessels. This small sample unfortunately does not allow any meaningful statistical analysis to be carried out. However, it can be noted that all the types date to the Terminal Woodland Period of c. A.D. 1000 to the Historic Period (Wright 1972: 64). The earliest vessel is the Iroquois Linear Vessel 7, which might date to as early as 1100. The remainder are somewhat later and could be as recent as 1687.

Table 3. Iroquoian pottery types identified at the LaVase North Bank Site (CbGu-1), including approximate expected date ranges, vessel identification numbers, vessel frequencies and percentage of typed vessels.

Roberta M. O'Brien (1976: 76-79) developed a simple typology for the Huron sites within Methodist Point Park Reserve (now Awenda Provincial Park). This procedure allowed for the relative dating of the sites, along with suggested ranges of occupation. Unfortunately, the LaVase North Bank Site Native ceramics do not correlate well with this typology. This is partly because the small size of some of the LaVase sherds precludes firm identification to one of the six types. The typology also excludes certain attributes, such as the predominantly horizontal orientation of the Iroquois Linear decoration on Vessel 7. These difficulties inhibit the integration of the LaVase North Bank Site Native ceramic assemblage into O'Brien's typology.

These findings, however tentative, are consistent with the general picture which has emerged from the LaVase North Bank Site over the course of its successive excavations. In 1995, ASI recovered 61 sherds from the site, including some incised and stamped examples, which were interpreted as being generally of Late Woodland date (Archaeological Services Inc. 1996: 100-1). In 1996, the Laurentian University field school recovered, amongst other ceramic finds, what appears to be a Middle Woodland rim. Despite its date, however, this vessel has been described as being not typically Laurel, as might be expected. Its decoration consists of horizontal lines on the interior surface and (pseudo-?)scallop shell markings on the exterior. In appearance, this vessel is similar to another specimen recovered in the vicinity of the Michipicoten River, near Wawa, in a context radiocarbon dated to c. 2000 B.P. (Patrick Julig, Laurentian University 1998: personal communication). During the City of North Bay excavations at CbGu-1 in the autumn of 1996, a total of 694 Native sherds were unearthed, which were all ascribed to a single Late Woodland Huron or Huron-like vessel. Although no rim sherds were found, four shoulder fragments included punctated markings (Defonzo 1997: 9).

In brief, the Native ceramics recovered from the LaVase North Bank Site (CbGu-1) in 1992 and 1997 are products of the Ontario Iroquoian pottery tradition. As discussed in the introduction to this section, such a conclusion is consistent with the Algonkian Nipissing culture which inhabited the area. The length of Native occupation at the site is impossible to firmly establish from the 1992 and 1997 ceramic evidence alone, but the pottery typology suggests that it could extend from as much as nine hundred years ago to the time of contact with Europeans. The Middle Woodland rim from the 1996 excavations could broaden this range to two thousand years ago. Inter-site comparison with the LaVase Island Site ceramic assemblage and more general discussion will be reserved for the conclusions section for that site.

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