The Jamestown Ceramics Research Group has been formed to identify and define all the ceramic ware types that appear on pre-1650 Jamestown and vicinity sites. Pottery comprises an important component of archaeological sites for, of all the classes of artifacts, it yields the richest record of date, social status, household routine, and trade. Valid comparisons of the ceramic information, however, require a standard nomenclature for both ware and form. The Jamestown Ceramics Research Group proposes to do this by maintaining an online study collection of these wares.

A more detailed proposal of our goals and methods can be found here.

This is just the beginning at an attempt to standardize the nomenclature of ceramic types found on pre-1650 sites in Virginia and to identify where those wares are being found. Eventually, this work could be extended to the latter half of the 17th century, and perhaps even the 18th century, and encompass much more of the Chesapeake region. It is anticipated that Native American ceramics could also be incorporated into this format.

Your input is needed for this project. We need to know where 17th-century wares are being found, in what form, and in what context. Please send your comments to Bly Straube at bly@preservationvirginia.org.

Bly Straube, Merry Outlaw, Taft Kiser, Seth Mallios

Go to Ceramic Types