dentate-stamped pottery from sigatoka, fijithe pottery vessels described here were recovered from...

Part 1

DENTATE-STAMPED POTTERY FROM SIGATOKA, FIJI

Lawrence and Helen Birks

INTRODUCTIONThe pottery vessels described here were recovered from two archaeologi

cal sites near Sigatoka, on the south-west coast of the main Fijian island of Viti Levu. The sites, and one other, were excavated in the course of two seasons' work, in 1965 and 1966, supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation of the United States and sponsored by the Bernice P. Bishop Museum of Hawaii. The project formed part of a much larger undertaking involving the Sigatoka Valley area, where an intensive research programme had been instituted by the Fiji Museum under the direction of Mr J. B. Palmer.(1) The Sigatoka Research Project in turn formed part of a larger and co-ordinated programme of research concentrating on Polynesian prehistory.

S. M. MEAD, L. BIRKS AND E. SHAW

lie des Pins, New Caledonia;(7) by Poulsen in Tonga; (8) by Shaw at Natunuku, on the north coast of Viti Levu;(8) and by Palmer at several other localities in Fiji.(10) More recently the discovery of sherds with Lapita decorations has been reported from the New Hebrides, (11) the South-east Solomons,(12) and a small island off the coast of Newlreland.(13)

Solheim saw a relationship between southern Melanesian pottery and the Sa-hu^nh-Kalanay pottery tradition.

The sites from which was obtained the ceramic material to be described here have been recorded by the Fiji Museum as Sites VL 16/1 and VL 16/81, from the initial letters of the map series, the map number of the Sigatoka Valley area, and the number of the sites in order of discovery.

Site VL 16/1 is situated on a sand dune area about a mile west of the mouth of the Sigatoka River, where the earliest occupation level is indicated by the lowest of three ancient soil horizons. Most of the material under consideration came from Site VL 16/81 on Yanuca Island, about 7 miles west of Sigatoka, under a shelter formed by an overhanging cliff of coral limestone. The accumulation of naturally deposited debris and cultural material in the shelter reached a height of over 8 feet, the upper 6 feet, with no discernible break in the sequence of deposit, containing almost all the cultural material. This consisted mainly of pottery, the earliest deposits including many sherds with Lapita decoration. A sample of charcoal from the same depth has been dated at 2980+ 90 B.P., or 1030 B.C. (GaK-1226).

Examination of sherds from the early horizon on both sites shows that they come from vessels of a number of different forms, both decorated and plain. In general, the decorated examples seem to be rather better finished than the plain types or those with a minor degree of simple decoration. In the last category are pots on which the decoration consists of serial vertical notching (or more often impressing) of the outward thickening of the rim.

Vessels with a considerable proportion of body wall decorated by dentate stamping may be conveniently divided into seven separate types, basing distinction on difference of form.A. Flat-bottomed dishes with sides flaring out from the base.B. Flat-bottomed shouldered vessels with incurve above the shoulder.C. Large bowls with convex base and low, straight sides.D. Shouldered vessels with a narrow flat or convex inward-slanting area above the shoulder.E. Shouldered vessels with plane or convex area above the shoulder.F. Vessels with sub-globular body, constricted neck, and out-flaring rim.G. Wide-mouthed bowls or dishes with convex lower walls.

7. Golson 1961:169-70.8. Poulsen 1964:184-95; 1967:156-93.9. E. Shaw, personal communication.

10. Palmer 1966:373-7.11. Garanger 1971:61; Hedrick 1969; Hedrick and Shutter 1969; Hedrick 1971.12. R. C. Green, personal communication.13. W. Ambrose, personal communication.14. Solheim 1964:383.

(In all instances “shoulder” refers to a definite horizontal ridge or angle on the outer wall of the vessel).

The estimated number of vessels of each type in the two sites is given in Table 1.

Each type will be dealt with separately, and any distinguishing features described. There are, however, several characteristics common to all vessels to be considered here.

THE LAPITA STYLE OF FIJI & ITS ASSOCIATIONS

T able 1Comparative frequency of vessel forms

Type VL 16/1 VL 16/81

A. Flat-bottomed dishes _ 30B. Flat-based, shouldered - 7C. Large, convex-based 4 -D. Shouldered, narrow flat area - 3E. Shouldered, wide flat area - 2F. Sub-globular - 2G. Wide-mouthed bowls - 1

Manufacturing techniqueNo paddle impressions are evident on the exterior surface of any vessel,

nor does the interior exhibit the distinctive hollows created by the use of a stone anvil. Such irregularities as may be noted appear more likely to be due to insufficient smoothing by the fingers or tools of the potter. If the paddle and anvil has in fact been used, considerable care has been taken to erase the resulting unevenness. An alternative technique seems possibly to be either moulding from a clay slab, or coil or ring building, followed by surface smoothing.

Surface textureIn all cases, vessels have been well finished, with the removal of ir

regularities and scrape marks before decoration by dentate stamping. Where tempering material shows on the surface, this is usually the result of weathering after breakage of the article.

ColourVariation in colour from one vessel to another, and to some extent on

individual pieces, is considerable, ranging from buff through light and dark brown, several shades of red, red-brown and grey, to black. This variation is clearly in some instances caused by inefficient firing, and in others by the exposure of sherds to differing conditions after breakage of the pot.

A. FLAT-BOTTOMED DISHES

(Figure 1.1)With a total of 30 vessels, these have the highest numerical representation

in the dentate-stamped assemblage from the two sites. They were found only on the Yanuca site, where sherds from them were plentiful in the lowest levels, one being distinguished as the furthest from ground surface.

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F ig u r e 1.1 Type A, flat-bottomed dish

T able 2 Dimensions of Type A vessels

No. of vessels*

Maximum(cm)

Minimum(cm)

Average(cm)

4 lip diameter 260 240 25-530 base diameter 24-0 150 1804 height 7-8 5-4 6-7

24 body thickness — base (mean) 1 0 0-4 0-722 body thickness — wall (mean) 0-9 0-4 0-6

* The number of vessels in all dimension tables refers to the count of vessels supplyingeach dimension.

Despite uncertainty as to the form of the base in a Tongan example described by Poulsen, it seems clearly to be a similar vessel.(16) Flat-based bowls with everted rims were mentioned by Specht(16) as being found on Watom Island, and Casey, in his description of some of Meyer’s finds on the same island, alluded to what is evidently an identical or closely similar form.(17) Sherds from Lapita also seem to be from the same type of vessel/18)

Type A vessels are flat-based, with sides rising at an angle of between 60 degrees and 85 degrees where they join the base, but taking an increasing curve outwards to the rim, which may be so everted as to be almost or completely horizontal. Dimensions are given in Table 2.

Basic similarity of form of flat-bottomed dishes is not in all cases accompanied by a similar practice in choosing areas for decoration, and variation occurs also in decorative methods. The following variations have been noted: (a) application of slip; (b) decoration on base; (c) application of raised band on rim interior; (d) dentate stamping on rim interior; (e) decoration of lip; (f) perforation of rim.

Eight vessels of the 30 in this class can be positively identified as having had a thin slip or wash, dark red in colour, applied to the whole of the inner and outer surface. Other specimens or possibly even the whole range of this form of vessel may have been similarly treated, but exigencies15. Poulsen 1967:167 and Figure 59.2.16. Specht 1968:127 and Plate 1.17. Casey 1936:95 and Plate VIII, 1.18. Gifford and Shutler 1956:75.

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of use or later exposure to adverse conditions have removed all trace of the applied material.

The exterior or under side of the base of five vessels in the flat-bottomed class has been decorated, but sincê this is not in accord with the general policy of leaving undecorated the more inconspicuous areas of pottery vessels in this tradition, the question naturally arises as to whether these five examples are in fact not containers but lids or covers. Against the latter possibility is the lack of signs of wear on the inside, where contact might be expected with the rim of the covered vessel, and also the general similarity of form to that of other examples of this type. Admittedly, the area exposed to wear could have been the lip, but in no case has this portion been preserved. In ascertainable dimensions, the five specimens tend to be slightly below average for the flat-bottomed type.

Two examples have a continuous ridge of clay moulded to the interior of the vessel, parallel to the lip and at an average distance from it of 1.5 cm. The incomplete condition of the majority of the vessels makes it impossible to ascertain what proportion has been supplied with this embellishment, but in four instances it is not present, so the proportion may not be high. The possibility that the ridge had a practical purpose in holding in place a lid or cover is again unsupported by any sign of abrasion on the ridge itself or the adjacent surface. Hence its function appears to be entirely decorative. The feature was noted by Poulsen as “not infrequent” on Tongan sherds that evidently belong to the same type as those described here.(19)

Six vessels are decorated by dentate stamping on the inner surface of the rim where the outcurve brings this almost to the horizontal plane. These six vessels include two dishes provided also with an internal appliquê ridge as described above.

In one instance only of the seven in which identifiable rim sherds survive, there is neither an internal ridge nor internal stamped decoration, but the vessel provides the only available example of a flat-bottomed dish with decoration on the lip. Flat, and almost vertical in consequence of the flaring rim, it has been finished with dentate stamping.

One flat-bottomed dish has a pair of holes, not more than 0.1 cm in diameter, piercing the rim vertically, 1.2 cm apart and 0.8 cm from the lip. There is nothing to indicate whether they are functional or decorative, but their small size does not necessarily militate against the passage of a cord for suspension of the vessel or to secure some type of cover. Small paired holes in the rim are not peculiar to vessels of this form, but are found also in at least two other types (see below).

Poulsen, who did not suggest their probable use, remarked that perforations are “extremely rare” in the Tongan pottery assemblage.(20) They are a feature of some dentate-stamped vessels from Watom.(21) What have been described as suspension holes have been noted on New Caledonian sherds,(22) but not specifically on those from the early horizon.19. Poulsen 1967:172 and Figure 59.2.20. Poulsen 1967:171.21. Casey 1936:96.22. Gifford and Shutter 1956:71.

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B. FLAT-BOTTOMED SHOULDERED VESSELS(Figure 1.2)

F ig u r e 1.2 Type B, flat-bottomed shouldered vessel

Identifiable portions of seven vessels of this type were recovered from Yanuca. A pot from the early period in Tonga, illustrated by Poulsen,(23) appears to be similar in form, though no flat base is indicated, this feature not being known with certainty.

From a flat base, small in proportion to the greatest diameter of the pot, the sides extend outward in a gentle curve. At about half the height of the vessel a constriction of the wall forms a shoulder with incurve above. The line of the wall continues evenly until a horizontal or near-horizontal position is reached at the rim. Dimensions are given in Table 3.

T able 3 Dimensions of Type B vessels

No. of vessels

Maximum(cm)

Minimum(cm)

Average(cm)

2 lip diameter 240 230 23*56 body diameter (at shoulder) 28-6 19*8 23-83 base diameter 111 7-5 9 12 height 111 8-8 9-93 body thickness — base (mean) 0-9 0-7 0-87 body thickness — wall (mean) 0-8 0*6 0-7

In none of the seven examples can it be stated with certainty that a slip has been applied, but the small representation of sherds and their exposure to adverse conditions allows the possibility of an originally slipped surface.

Of the two pots of this type with existing rim sections, neither has a raised appliquê band on the interior.

One vessel has stamped decoration on the horizontal face of the rim interior, but there is none on the other pot with extant rim.23. Poulsen 1967: Figure 59.1.

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There are indications of vertical notching on the lip of one vessel, but another has more elaborate lip decoration. In the thickness of the lip the clay has been excised in a series of equilateral triangles of 0.6 cm side, with the apex uppermost and averaging 0.2 cm apart at the base. Each cut-out section is about 0.4 cm deep, and the apex of the triangle almost reaches the inner surface of the rim. Tongan parallels to this form of lip decoration appear to exist.(24)

In two instances the vessel rim has been pierced by at least two pairs of fine holes in the same manner as one of the Type A vessels, distances between holes being 1.0 cm. Reconstruction of one pot shows that two pairs of holes are diametrically opposite.

In pots of this form, several variations in the distribution of dentate- stamped decoration are noted: (1) decoration above shoulder only; (2) decoration above shoulder with small proportion below; (3) decoration above shoulder and extending almost to base; (4) dentate stamping with applied vertical bars and nubbins above shoulder, but no decoration below shoulder.

C. LARGE BOWLS WITH CONVEX BASE(Figure 1.3)

Since these vessels are from a different site and are chronologically more recent than any others mentioned here, relegation to the end of the list would seem to be indicated, and they are placed third solely to maintain consistency in the frequency table.

Sherds from four vessels of this type were recovered, all from Site VL 16/1, where a charcoal sample found in association produced on analysis a date of 510 + 90 B.C. (GaK-946). No examples of this type of container were found on the Yanuca site, with a date 500 years earlier, but any inference that the style was a late development in the Lapita sequence is not supported by the presence of what seems to be a vessel of similar form, though smaller, in Tonga.(25>

F ig u r e 1.3 Type C, large bowl with convex base

24. Poulsen 1967: Figure 88, nos. 17,18 and 21.25. Poulsen 1967: Figure 56.1.

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In diameter, vessels of Type C are by far the largest from the early horizon on either site. In profile, the side is almost straight for at least 7.0 cm from the junction with the rim, but it is assumed to curve before the centre is reached. Side and rim meet at an angle of 100 degrees, and at the junction, the side is about 45 degrees to the horizontal plane, causing an inward slant of the rim. Dimensions are given in Table 4.

T able 4 Dimensions of Type C vessels

No. of vessels

Maximum(cm)

Minimum(cm)

Average(cm)

4 lip diameter 560 43-8 50*84 body diameter (at shoulder) 60-2 480 5502 total height (estimated) 24-6 19-6 22-14 height of rim (above shoulder) 4-3 4 1 4*24 body thickness — base (mean) 1 0 0-8 0-94 body thickness — wall (mean) 0-9 0-9 0-9

Stamped decoration is confined entirely to the outer surface of the rim.Red slip has been applied to at least a portion of all four vessels, and it

seems possible that it once covered the entire inner and outer surface. In addition, inner surfaces have been carefully smoothed or burnished. Their present fragmentary condition does not conceal the fact that these large bowls have been well and carefully made, as is attested by the density and hardness of the paste and such details as surface finish and dimensional uniformity.

D. SHOULDERED VESSELS WITH A NARROW FLAT OR CONVEX AREA

ABOVE THE SHOULDER

(Figure 1.4)

F ig u r e 1.4Type D, shouldered vessel with narrow flat or convex area above the shoulder

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Sherds belonging to 3 vessels of Type D were recovered from Yanuca, with the possibility that 11 others are represented by portions too small for positive identification. It seems likely that a vessel similar or closely related in form was present also inTonga.(2a)

Absence of fiat sherds appears to indicate a rounded base. The lower wall of the vessel would then rise in an even curve to the shoulder, thence turning inwards. Dimensions are given in Table 5.

T able 5 Dimensions of Type D vessels

No. of vessels

Dimension(cm)

1 lip diameter (estimated) 2901 body diameter (at shoulder) 3601 height (estimated) 17-81 body thickness — wall (mean) 0-6

The dentate-stamped decoration is applied only to the surface above the shoulder. Additional decoration in the form of a row of nubbins occurs on one vessel, and vertical raised bars on the convex area above the shoulder in the case of the other two. One of the latter has had an application of red slip, apparently to the whole of the external surface.

One vessel is notable as possessing the most lavish decoration of any pot from the assemblages at both sites. It is unique among vessels of this type in having the decoration carried below the shoulder as far as the incurve of the rounded base, in this respect being similar to Type F (see below). The closely stamped surface has in part at least had an application of red slip, and its appearance has been further enhanced by burnishing or some form of polishing. The form of the neck and rim can only be assumed.

E. SHOULDERED VESSELS WITH PLANE OR CONVEX AREA ABOVE THE SHOULDER(Figure 1.5)

Elements of two pots conforming to the above description have been isolated. The possibility that the type is more numerous is suggested by thepresence of sherds belonging to 15 shouldered pots not definitely identified as to form. The type seems to have been encountered in the early Tongan horizon.


“nN ) ) / /

N

F ig u r e 1.5Type E, shouldered vessel with plane or convex area above the shoulder

Dentate-stamped decoration on both pots is confined to surfaces above the shoulder, with the addition of nubbins in one case. Whether decoration extended to the rim cannot be established, but the probability that it did so is indicated by the presence of dentate stamping to within 1.6 cm of the lip on a sherd apparently belonging to a vessel of the same type. No definite traces of a red slip are apparent.

F. VESSELS WITH SUB-GLOBULAR BODY(Figure 1.6)

This class comprises 2 vessels, with a further 21 probably of the same type. Though it is difficult to be certain on account of the fragmentary nature of vessel remains and, in many cases, damage to the surface, the impression is gained that decoration and other surface treatment is particularly well executed.

Lack of contrary evidence indicates the probability of a rounded base. The even curve of the sides is not broken by a shoulder, but at the most by a slight concavity below the neck. Dimensions are given in Table 7.

T able 7 Dimensions of Type F vessels

No. of vessels

Maximum(cm)

Minimum(cm)

Average(cm)

2 lip diameter (estimated) 25-4 24-4 24-92 body diameter max. (estimated) 34-1 33-3 33-72 height (estimated) 20-6 200 20-32 body thickness — wall (mean) 0-6 0-4 0-5

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Figure 1.6 Type F, vessel with sub-globular body

Dentate stamping on the interior of the rim, noted already on some vessels of the first two types considered, is found also on a pot of Type F. The same vessel has a pair of holes in the rim, 0.7 cm apart and 0.6 cm from the lip. Another pair, or more than one, may have existed at one time.

Where the extent of decoration can be determined, it covers the whole of the readily visible outer surface of the pot, that is, from rim to incurve near the base.

In one of the two definite specimens, nubbins form part of the decorative treatment, and they are a feature also of five vessels which can with less certainty be included in this class. One pot in the lattercategory is, in addition, decorated with applied bars.

One vessel of sub-globular form seems topossess characteristics not shared by others of the type. With a maximum body diameter of 18.4 cm, it is much smaller than the two referred to previously, and the maximum thickness of the body, at 1.2 cm, is greater. The base is almost flat, but the junction of base and side is not well defined, the one merging gradually into the other. The rim form is uncertain. Decoration is by dentate stamping.

G. WIDE-MOUTHED BOWLS OR DISHES WITH CONVEX LOWER WALLS(Figure 1.7)

One vessel only has been identified as being in this category.Insufficient of the pot remains to show whether the base is flat or convex, a

problem encountered also by Poulsen, who in Tonga excavated some sherds from what appears to be an almost identical vessel.(28)28. Poulsen 1967: Figure 58.1.

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F ig u r e 1.7Type G, wide-onouthed bowl or dish with convex lower walls

T able 8 Dimensions of Type G vessels

No. of vessels

Dimension(cm)

1 lip diameter (estimated)1 body diameter (estimated)1 height (estimated)1 body thickness — wall (mean)

3 2 0 27*8 11 *2

0 -7

The walls curve out from the base, but change direction inwards as a result of constriction below the out-turned rim. Dimensions are given in Table 8.

Dentate stamping occupies the whole of the outer surface from just above the incurve towards the base to a point slightly above the beginning of the neck constriction. A horizontal row of nubbins encircles the vessel at what appears to be the lower termination of the dentate-stamped area.

THE FUNCTION OF DENTATE-STAMPED VESSELS

The seven types of vessel described above are a few from a much wider range in the same horizon, giving the impression of an advanced and sophisticated culture. Examination of the decorated examples considered here does not reveal any factor common to all that would indicate a definite function. If anything about function may be deduced from a study of the sherds, it is in the negative sense that there is no clear evidence of use as cooking pots. Had all or any of the vessels been so used, it might be expected that some, even if only a few, would show signs of smoke-blackening on the exterior or traces of a deposit of carbonaceous material on the inside, but this they fail to do. It is therefore suggested that they were employed as food- storage containers or serving dishes.

The whole question of function, including that relating to differences, if any, in the purpose served by plain vessels from the same horizon, requires much more evidence before positive statements can be made. Such evidence

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does not yet appear to have been discovered by other students of pottery in the Lapita tradition, emphasising the need for further investigations to solve this and the many other and wide-ranging problems associated with its origin and development.


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dentate-stamped pottery from sigatoka, fijithe pottery vessels described here were recovered from...

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