Sandy Lake Ware with Crenulated Rim

This unusual pottery rim was recovered using an unusual methodology.  The clay along the top portion of this vessel has been intentionally clipped out to produce a wavy zig-zag lip form referred to as crenulated.  This specific shape has been designated as a type of Sandy Lake ware (3-d model courtesy of Lakehead University anthropology department).

 The exterior of the vessel has also been smoothed over which is another typical trait of Sandy Lake.  However, the use of exterior decorative elements is an uncommon feature of this ware and, in this case, two rows of roughly circular shaped stamps (possibly classified as punctates as slight interior bosses are produced) impressed onto the exterior are unusual.  The profile of the vessel is straight with walls that are quite thin.  A layer of carbonized residue (removed) was adhered to the lower portion of the rim’s interior.

Double row of circular to oblong shaped stamps on a smoothed exterior (left) and profile (right).

The dark area on interior indicates the extent of carbonized residue adhesion