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Anthropology.

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Read the following passage. Then fill in the diagram with the.information that you read. +@*fl

Artifacts are ancient objects that have been recovered through


archaeological endeavors. Anthropologists study the cultural artifacts
left by older societies to gain valuable knowledge about their ways of
life. When studying Native American cultures, one common type of
artifact is pottery, which can be found all over the continent. By studying
the pottery found in a region, anthropologists have been able to learn
about ancient techniques, as well as the functions of pottery for
Native American peoples. Years of recovering and studying pottery
have revealed many differences between the pottery made by people
who lived in the southwestern portion of what is now the United States
and those who lived in the northeastern region.
Southwestern pottery remains a popular and revered art form. The
styles featured in art galleries and museums today have an extensive
history. Long before Columbus arrived, southwestern cultures had
formed techniques to produce pieces that were beautiful, long-lasting,
and functional. Using clay commonly found in the, region, Native
Americans first created a type of pottery called bisque, which means
that it was subjected to extremely hot temperatures to make the material
harder, but was not glazed. The pottery was plainly adorned, if at all,
suggesting that it held more of a functional purpose than ritualistic.
The pottery of the northeast differed from southwestern pottery in
many respects. First, due to the disparate geography, the materials
used varied greatly between groups. Rather than just using dried
clay, northei:istern peoples mixed clay with other materials that were
available, such i:is crushed shells, sand, and plants. Next, the form of
northeastern pottery is completely distinctive. Instead of solid pots
like those made in the southwest, potters in the northeast formed a
rope made of prepared clay. The rope was wound around a circular
base, forming coils as the piece was built up. Finally, after the coil
pottery was fired, it was further treated with special stones. The
natives rubbed the piece with the stones in order to smooth the
surface. This final treatment added a polished look to the piece.

recover:
to get something back
revere:
to greatly respect
extensive:
having a great range
subject:
to put something through
glazed:
covered with a layer used
to protect the piece
disparate:
different
fire:
to heat objects made
clay to make them harder

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76

Chapter 4

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