Beyond Copper: Ceramic Earspools and Cultural Markers at the Cummings Site
Disciplines
Archaeological Anthropology
Abstract (300 words maximum)
This study examines ceramic pulley-style ear spool fragments recovered at the Cummings site located in Cartersville, Georgia. This archaeological site is situated near the Etowah Mounds and the Leake site. Occupied during the Middle Woodland (300 BC-AD 600) and Middle Mississippian (1260-1300 CE) periods, the site presents an unusual context for ear spool deposition. This particular set of ear spools is interesting due to their material composition, the archaeological context in which they were found, their size, and their geographic location. In contrast to the more prevalent copper ear spools of the Hopewellian tradition of the Middle Woodland, the Cummings Site ear spools are crafted meticulously from clay. This material choice is rarely documented in the region. Furthermore, unlike typical mortuary contexts in which ear spools are often recovered, these fragments were discarded in a refuse pit, with no associated human remains. This study situates the Cummings Site ear spools within a broader archaeological and stylistic framework by comparing them to similar artifacts from other sites and contemporary examples. Through an analysis of form, material composition, and depositional context, this study explores their cultural significance, contributing to a deeper understanding of artifact distribution, craftspersonship, and social practices in the region.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
RCHSS - Geography & Anthropology
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Dr. Terry Powis
Beyond Copper: Ceramic Earspools and Cultural Markers at the Cummings Site
This study examines ceramic pulley-style ear spool fragments recovered at the Cummings site located in Cartersville, Georgia. This archaeological site is situated near the Etowah Mounds and the Leake site. Occupied during the Middle Woodland (300 BC-AD 600) and Middle Mississippian (1260-1300 CE) periods, the site presents an unusual context for ear spool deposition. This particular set of ear spools is interesting due to their material composition, the archaeological context in which they were found, their size, and their geographic location. In contrast to the more prevalent copper ear spools of the Hopewellian tradition of the Middle Woodland, the Cummings Site ear spools are crafted meticulously from clay. This material choice is rarely documented in the region. Furthermore, unlike typical mortuary contexts in which ear spools are often recovered, these fragments were discarded in a refuse pit, with no associated human remains. This study situates the Cummings Site ear spools within a broader archaeological and stylistic framework by comparing them to similar artifacts from other sites and contemporary examples. Through an analysis of form, material composition, and depositional context, this study explores their cultural significance, contributing to a deeper understanding of artifact distribution, craftspersonship, and social practices in the region.