The sherd analysis gives a picture of the domestic ceramic complex. A
study of the whole vessels indicates the mortuary wares and shapes used
by these people. That these are not the same as the domestic styles is
clearly shown from the data in Table 4. The 31 complete or restorable
vessels from Lawhorn constituted 76% mortuary types. The other 24% came
from house floors and refuse pits to give a picture of the domestic
wares. Except for the one unusual strap handled water bottle, these were
bowls and jars of assorted size. While some shallow bowls and a few
plate forms were identified from sherds no complete vessels of these
types were found on the domestic scene. Shallow bowls in their complete
state were entirely within the mortuary list of finds. The difference in
vessel form as indicated by potsherds from the domestic complex and
whole vessels for this mortuary complex is tabulated in Table 4. In
column III only those vessels found with burials have been tabulated to
give a more precise picture of the mortuary ceramic complex. This will
point out how nearly the complete vessel inventory is indicative of the
mortuary class. In addition to vessel type it will be noted that there
is an impressive rise in the number of vessels with flat bases in the
mortuary vessel group as compared to the evidence from the potsherd
collection.
It becomes clear that while complete pottery vessels present an accurate
ceramic picture it is a specialized one and different from that of the
sherd count analysis. The difference may be a direct reflection of
different segments of the village life pattern, the funerary customs on
the one hand and home life on the other.
Other interpretations might be made on the same pottery and potsherd
collection. Variation of mortuary wares between major towns could easily
exist while utility wares of each followed a more widespread and
fundamental pattern so that little variation would be apparent between
two such towns if judged from potsherds, but a pronounced difference if
judged by complete vessels.
With the early type pottery, or with one assumed to be early, the
conclusion was reached that the best way to describe the sand tempered
wares would be to call them “sand tempered plain,” “sand tempered cord
marked” and “sand tempered fabric impressed.” The sand tempered plain is
similar to Thomas Plain in the lower valley (Phillips, et. al., 1951;
141-2) and to Barnes Plain in the Cairo Lowland (Williams, 1956; 204).
The sand tempered cord marked is similar to the Blue Lakes Cord marked
in the Lower Valley (Phillips, et. al., 1951: 142-4) and to Barnes Cord
marked in the Cairo Lowland (Williams, 1956: 204). The fabric impressed
sand tempered sherds are similar to the Twin Lakes Fabric Impressed
(Phillips, et. al., 1951: 144-5) in the lower valley and similar to the
fabric impressed occurring in the Barnes series in the Cairo Lowland. It
does not seem advisable to name the sand tempered sherds that are from
the Lawhorn site as separate types. Further, the distribution of the
Lower Valley types Thomas Plain, Blue Lake Cord marked and Twin Lakes
Fabric Impressed appear to be too far away to equate them with the
Lawhorn series on the basis of the sample at Lawhorn. The same can be
said for the Barnes series.
The pottery was first classified with the aid of books and advice of
several archaeologists. Before publication a check of the pottery was
made resulting in the re-evaluation of a few of the types. Most
important was the declassification of incised sherds other than Wallace
Incised. Further, the painted wares were classed as Carson Red on Buff
and Nodena Red and White only.
A search of the literature on southeastern pottery was done to try to
find the time period in which the Lawhorn pottery fitted. According to
Phillips, Ford and Griffin (1951: 132-133), the Carson Red on Buff and
Nodena Red and White are included under the term Avenue Painted and this
ware extends into period B about half way. Wallace Incised, although it
is primarily a late type, in period A, has been found on sites extending
all the way to the end of period C. The other incised types are somewhat
similar to Barton Incised and Kent Incised, but neither type could be
definitely identified. Barton Incised has been found in the St. Francis
area on sites extending back almost to Period D, and Kent Incised occurs
at least halfway into Period B. Due to the small number of sherds and
uncertainty of identification of type all of the incised sherds except
Wallace were thrown into an unclassified category.
On the basis of the pottery types, the most predominant being Neeley’s
Ferry Plain which starts at approximately the beginning of Period B or
Period C and maintains this maximum popularity to the end of Period B,
it was decided that this site probably falls in the latter part of
Period B.