Prehistoric Ceramics from the Barber Creek Site (31PT259), Greenville, North Carolina

Abstract

This is a study of the prehistoric pottery from the Barber Creek site located along the Tar River drainage in Greenville, North Carolina. Stratified archaeological remains are present in a one meter deposit of sand spanning the Archaic and Woodland periods (ca. 8000BC-AD1650). This thesis focused on an analysis of over 2700 pottery sherds from the Early and Middle Woodland periods at Barber Creek. In particular, this study refines the typological definition of the Early Woodland ceramic series known as Deep Creek--one of the least understood pottery types in North Carolina. The result of this study contributes a better understanding of the range of tempers and surface treatments found in the Deep Creek series.