Ceramic Attributes and Accokeek Creek Chronology: An Analysis of Sherds from the Falcon's Landing (18PR131) and the Accotink Meander (44FX1908) Sites

Abstract

Stephenson (1963) defined Accokeek Creek ware based on his analysis of ceramics from undated contexts at the Accokeek Creek site in Maryland. Subsequently, excavations at stratified sites in the Potomac Valley placed friable, sand and grit tempered Accokeek ceramics between 800 and 500 B.C. However, disagreement about the definition and chronological placement of Accokeek Creek pottery continues (cf., Thurman, 1987 and Stewart, 1987). Analysis of ceramics from the Falcon's Landing site (18PR131) and the Accotink Meander site (44FX1908), combined with a review of data from throughout the region, suggests temporal variation in the attributes of Accokeek Creek sherds underlies these difficulties.

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