Compositional Analysis of Temper in Emery Gray Ceramics From Central Utah
Spurr K. 1995. Compositional Analysis of Temper in Emery Gray Ceramics From Central Utah. Pages 137-169. In Van Riper C (ed): Proceedings of the Second Biennial Conference on Research in Colorado Plateau National Parks. Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona. 25-28 October 1993. National Park Service. Denver, Colorado. Proceedings of the Biennial Conference of Research on the Colorado Plateau
Emery Gray ceramics of the Fremont culture are characterized by crushed igneous rock temper. Several temper types that appear distinct under the binocular microscope are included in this ceramic type, and the relation of these temper types and the sources of the rocks have been debated. Emery Gray sherds from a site in central Utah were used to address this research question. Analysis with the petrographic microscope and electron microprobe indicates that the composition of feldspars in two distinct temper types is similar. Samples of potential source rocks collected near the site also were analyzed and compared with the temper samples. The feldspar composition of the rocks and the Emery Gray sherd temper are comparable and the mineral assemblages also are similar. Combining the compositional data with the distribution of the several rock types revealed patterns that can be used to determine the location of production and patterns of distribution of Emery Gray ceramics. These patterns provide information on resource use by Fremont peoples. The data may also be useful in refining the classification system for Fremont ceramics.
- Type
- Conference Proceeding Paper
- Authors
- Spurr, Kimberly
- Units
- HIST , IMR
- Keywords
- Ceramic Production, ceramics, Cultural, Cultural Resources, ehistory, Emery Gray, Fremont, History, Prehistory, sites, Utah