Iroquoian village and hamlet sites are known for their large and diverse artifact assemblages. Lithic and ceramic artifacts constitute the majority of the artifacts found on these sites in New York and southern Ontario (Lennox 1995; Ritchie and Funk 1973; Snow 1995). Detailed analyses of these materials often provide insights into the settlement, subsistence, economic, and interaction patterns of the community (Snow 1994; Rieth and Horton 2006).

Archaeological excavations by the New York State Museum’s Cultural Resource Survey Program at the precontact Bailey site in Onondaga County, New York, produced a large ceramic assemblage consisting of vessel fragments (Rieth and Horton 2006). Stylistic and technological analyses of these artifacts contribute to our understanding of the chronology of the site and enhance our understanding of Native manufacturing techniques.

This chapter provides an overview of the ceramic assemblage fromthe Bailey site, describes howthe vessels were used, and discusses the role of ceramic vessels within the larger realm of Iroquoian settlement and subsistence. Adiscussion of howthis information can be used to understand Iroquoian culture and history follows.