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THE LOWER WALNUT SETTLEMENT AND ITS CERAMICS

Abstract The Lower Walnut Settlement is a loose cluster of sites located in the lower Walnut River valley of south-central Kansas. The sites are dominated by late precontact deposits, dating from ca A.D. 1350 to 1750, though some sites do have earlier components. This paper reviews the history of investigations in the lower Walnut River valley, including major highway salvage investigations conducted by the Kansas State Historical Society in the mid-1990s. Following a brief review of the site cluster, referred to as the Lower Walnut Settlement, we focus on the locally-produced ceramics, using the relatively large assemblage of sherds as well as reconstructed and partial vessels recovered during these excavations. These are used to investigate aspects of ceramic production (including the use of shell as a tempering agent, methods of manufacture, and possible production areas). We offer a redefinition of the Cowley Plain type, replacing ware-type with the type-variety system. We conclude with suggestions for future research.