cord-marked impressions with punctate, ca. AD 900-1650

zoned and incised, notched rim, ca. AD 900-1650

cord-marked impressions with punctate, ca. AD 900-1650

incised markings over fabric-impressed surface treatment, ca. AD 900-1650

incised markings, rim, on rim and body and drilled holes over fabric-impressed surface treatment, ca. AD 900-1650

Production and Social Networks

New potters would learn techniques from other female family members. Potters preferred the use of a particular combination of temper and surface treatments but innovation was also part of the process. Archaeologists have attempted to map the distributions of ceramics with different temper and surface treatments to trace community boundaries and social networks of Virginia Algonquians. Certain surface treatments are tightly clustered in a location indicating focused social networks.  In other cases, similar decorations appear over a wide geographic range, suggesting interaction between distant groups.