Graduation Year

2021

Document Type

Thesis

Degree

M.A.

Degree Name

Master of Arts (M.A.)

Degree Granting Department

Anthropology

Major Professor

Robert H. Tykot, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Thomas J. Pluckhahn, Ph.D.

Committee Member

John W. Arthur, Ph.D.

Keywords

Ceramic Studies, Florida Archaeology, pXRF analysis, Safety Harbor, Weeden Island

Abstract

This research tested a null hypothesis on whether ceramics from a variety of archaeological sites around the Pinellas County peninsula were sourced locally for their materials. The sites in this study include Weeden Island (8PI1-5-6-A/B/C/D), Bayshore Homes (8PI41), Yat Kitischee (8PI1753), and Maximo Point (8PI19). Since there were multiple sites that I assessed in the Tampa Bay, Florida area, I focused on one cultural period, Safety Harbor (AD 900-1500), and the ceramics created during it at the various locations. My research questions included: Were materials locally sourced for ceramic production at each of these sites? If not, what is the evidence of ceramic or material trade during this period in the Tampa Bay area? The analysis I performed on these sherds included pXRF to establish a basis for trace elements and potentially INAA in the future in the interest of determining a more thorough analysis of the compositional makeup of the ceramics. Using the pXRF data, I performed Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to identify and compare clay sources or regions in the Florida peninsula. Overall, from a greater anthropological standpoint, I wished to study the potential networks of interaction between groups via trading ceramic materials in the greater southeastern region of the United States during this time.

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