Virtual Catalogue of Windsor Tradition Ceramics
Introduction
In southern New England, Native Americans adopted ceramic technology by around 3,000 years ago. Over the course of the next 2,500 years, there appeared changes in both the manufacturing technology and decoration of pottery. Technological and morphological changes took place which are viewed largely as evolutionary, meaning there was on-going experimentation geared towards making more durable pots. At the same time, refinements in decorative styles also developed. Pottery decorations have been interpreted by some archaeologists as representing social or cultural markers of ethnic or tribal groups. The designs found on pottery contain symbols which were meaningful to their makers.

There appears to be evidence for both change and continuity in the manufacture of pottery over time in this region. In order to distinguish the pottery of southern New England from other regions, the local ceramic tradition is labeled Windsor. In New York, the traditions are labeled Point Peninsula, East River, Owasco, and Iroquois. Across most of the northeastern United States, the early ceramics are quite similar in form. Over time, however, there appears increasing diversity in decoration and morphology.

Shortly following the arrival of Europeans in New England (ca. AD 1620) Native-made ceramic vessels were replaced by imported glass, metal, and ceramic containers. However, the designs found on pottery continued to be used in other aspects of material culture such as metal working, carved shell and bone, and textiles.

This catalogue of Windsor Tradition ceramics is an on-going project. New images and data will be added as they become available.

Jonathan M. Lizee
Dept. of Anthropology
University of Connecticut

archnet@borealis.lib.uconn.edu