Whittlesey Tradition Vessel

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CMNH Archaeology 6388 Late Precontact Period AD 1550 - 1650 South Park Site (33CU8) Independence, OH This vessel was unearthed in 1967 from the South Park site, an American Indian village nestled in Cuyahoga County, Ohio. It is attributed to the Whittlesey people of the "Late Precontact" period, signifying that it was crafted by one of the last indigenous groups yet to encounter European settlers in the region. The pottery clay used to create this vessel was expertly tempered with fragments of shell. Unfortunately, it was discovered broken and incomplete, necessitating the use of red clay for a full reconstruction. The artisan who created this piece employed a decorative stamp to produce the horizontal lines that adorn its surface. Although the Whittlesey peoples resided in what is now considered Northeast Ohio, the vessel's design bears striking resemblance to the "Indian Hills Stamped" style commonly found among the Sandusky Tradition peoples of Northwest Ohio, suggesting possible cultural exchange between these two populations. Given its size, this vessel is unlikely to have been used for cooking and may instead have served as a serving vessel.