THREE COLONIAL CERAMIC WARES: A COMPARISON BASED ON MINERALOGICAL, PETROGRAPHICAL AND COMPOSITIONAL DATA

Merida ware is a type of Iberian unglazed earthenware found at colonial sites from the sixteenth century North American. Merida ware is similar to orange micaceous wares and Morgan Jones wares from sites of the same time period. Merida and Morgan Jones wares are found at the sixteenth century site of St. Mary's City, Maryland. Orange micaceous ware is found in the sixteenth century component of St. Augustine, Florida. Similarites between these ceramic wares are apparent in not only clay color, but also decoration and vessel form. Archaeologists know little about these ceramic wares and even less is known about the geological and mineralogical components. Archaeologists use stylistic components to define differences between ceramic wares. Geologic techniques can be used to determine differences between ceramic wares and also provenance. Both petrographic and electron microprobe techniques were employed to define each of these ceramic wares and their relationships. Subfabrics of each ceramic ware were identified and classified during this study. Clues to manufacturing areas were noted because little is known about source and production areas for these wares.