North America’s First Pots: Insights into Stallings Culture and Cuisine
Dr. Emily Bartz, Arkansas Archeological Survey and the University of Arkansas
At the intersection of clay, cuisine, and culture, pottery offers profound insights into ancient communities. In this talk, Dr. Emily Bartz explores the cultural history of the Stallings culture of the Savannah River valley, creators of North America’s earliest pottery, and their somewhat unique tradition of indirect-heat cooking. Through experimental archaeology, including stone-boiling simulations with replica vessels, she highlights the technical and cultural innovations of these early potters. Dr. Bartz will also share pioneering results from organic residue analysis, revealing what was cooked in these vessels and how these findings enhance our understanding of early culinary practices and community life in the ancient Southeast.
THURSDAY, MARCH 13, 7:00 - 8:00 PM EDT
Zoom Registration Link: https://tinyurl.com/cjk9kyvc
Dr. Emily Bartz is the station archaeologist for Pine Bluff with the Arkansas Archeological Survey at the University of Arkansas. A recent graduate of the University of Florida, she specializes in the study of ancient pottery and cooking techniques. Her research integrates experimental archaeology and organic residue analysis to uncover insights into past culinary practices and the daily lives of ancient communities of the American Southeast.