Springwells Pottery Production at the Iler Earthworks

Abstract

This thesis examines the pottery assemblage from the Iler Earthworks (AaHr-22), a Late Woodland (Western Basin Tradition) Springwells Phase occupation in Essex County, Ontario. An assemblage of 3724 pottery sherds was found at this site between 2015 and 2018 as part of the University of Waterloo’s archaeology field school. Eighteen vessels were identified in this assemblage and described using an attribute analysis and traditional typological methods. The analysis paints a picture of pottery form and decoration employed at Iler with an eye toward better understanding aspects of Springwells phase stylistic practices in the region. It is suggested that there is diversity in decorative practices when examining attributes of tool, technique, and motif, and that this diversity is in keeping with other Springwells and early Wolf phase sites in southwestern Ontario and adjacent areas