A chicken on every pot: curious avian ceramic vessels on the Gulf Coast. Issue 2 (4th May 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gougeon, Ramie A.
• Is Part Of: Southeastern archaeology. Volume 37:Issue 2(2018)
• Page Start: 149
• Page End: 157
• Publication Date: 2018-05-04
• Subjects: Effigy vessels -- Gulf Coast -- Spanish maritime history -- culture contact; Southern States -- Antiquities -- Periodicals; Indians of North America -- Southern States -- Antiquities -- Periodicals; 930.1
• DOI: 10.1080/0734578X.2017.1376949
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0734-578X

Abstract

ABSTRACT: In a recent examination of bird effigy vessels from the north-central coast of the Gulf of Mexico, one remarkable species identified appears to be Gallus gallus domesticus, or the chicken. Examples of small ceramic rooster heads sporting dramatic, single combs and short beaks may be indirect evidence of contact between native coastal peoples and Spanish explorers in the early decades of the AD 1500s. The particular socio-cultural conditions that would have made possible the introduction of these decidedly non-native birds into the repertoire of Native American potters in the protohistoric era are explored.