Pottery type
Hopewell Fabric-Impressed Pottery
Hopewell Fabric-ImpressedHopewell PotteryKey facts
- Cultural period
- Hopewell Pottery
- Material
- Grit- or grog-tempered clay. Exterior surfaces bear clear impressions from woven mats or textiles; interiors are smoothed by hand.
Description
Hopewell Fabric-Impressed vessels show textile impressions across exterior surfaces, produced by pressing woven fabrics, baskets, or paddles wrapped in fabric against the clay. Vessels are typically conical or globular jars with simple rims and round to slightly flattened bases. Surface impressions preserve details of cordage, twining, or plain-weave textiles.
Size
Jars commonly measure 18–30 cm in rim diameter and 20–36 cm in height, with wall thickness around 6–10 mm.
Distribution
Centered in the Ohio Valley and extending into Illinois, Indiana, West Virginia, and Kentucky within Middle Woodland Hopewell communities.
Mainly found in
Additional information
Fabric-impressed pottery is one of the main Hopewell household utility wares. Textile impressions help researchers identify weaving and textile technologies of the period.