Dug these in Central Virginia today, some have faint criss-cross patterns and seem to be made of fine pieces of quartz and clay. This is my first attempt at digging for artifacts and I am very much in a learning mode at this point. I would like to know if there is any method for enhancing the markings. Thanks!

i have some marked like that, theres been some really good post here on pottery how they did it and so on, i'm thinking about going out to a lake thurs. that i've found hand fulls of shars, most of the rainbow poeple have left so my truck won't be pick clean, all the lakes are low and i've got two aiti-gator esscape plans (dogs) that love the water, hope someone can help you thanks for sharing,,twoshovel

Those shards that show markings are mostly net-impressed- that is, formed inside a net or mat. Some are smoothed more than others. As you say, they appear to have grit temper. You can highlight the impressions just by wetting them, then waiting for some parts to dry in stages. That will show off the impressions better. You can also easily make a mold of the impressions, which will show you what type of mat or net was used in making the pot.

Cliff's right.. That's mostly what I find here in Virginia is net impressed. There are different types such as Prince George, Stoney creek, Clarksville ect, some are more deeply impressed than others.



There's a great book by Clifford Evans called "A Ceramic study of Virginia archaeology"

If you live in Virginia and you find much pottery, the book is a must have.

Thanks for showing that Kenneth. I love pottery and it is interesting to see it from different areas.

I love pottery too, with all the different designs.. I even have a small bowl that I have been reconstructing for the past few months..

nice pottrey like it to.i love findind it when im on a site.lets me know that im on a good location.i got some from a couple miles below stallings island which is said to be some of the oldest known in north america.

Great thread thanks for sharing.