Anthropogenic temper versus geological and pedological inclusions: grog temper as a possible chrono-cultural marker for the Late Ceramic Age in the pre-Columbian Lesser Antilles

In order to compare pre-Columbian cultural affiliations in the Lesser Antilles, we studied three ceramic series from Guadeloupe (F.W.I.) from well-dated Troumassoid sites between AD 1000 and 1300 (radiometric ages) attributed to the Late Ceramic Age (AD 1000-1500). The significance of the different types of inclusions in these ceramics is discussed through a petrographic study using optical and electron microscopy, that we subsequently compared with the local geological contexts. Two of the studied sites are located in the volcanic part of Guadeloupe (Basse-Terre), while the third one is situated in an area dominated by the sedimentary substratum of Grande-Terre and its silty cover. The petrographic analysis shows either the use of local heterogeneous materials: natural, geological or pedological aplastic inclusions (volcanic sands and cinders, ferruginous soils), and the addition of grog (anthropogenic temper). At each of the three sites studied, the presence of grog was demonstrated for several modal series. Comparison of the compositions of the pastes with the ceramic chrono-typology allow us to explore the proposition presented by Donahue et al. (1990), suggesting that the use of grog may infer a difference between Troumassoid and pre-Troumassoid assemblages. We also hypothesize a progressive diffusion of the use of grog temper into the Lesser Antilles, from the Guianas. This idea defies the commonly accepted idea that Troumassoid developed smoothly out of a locally present Saladoid ceramic series without external influence. Dans le but de comparer les filiations culturelles precolombiennes dans les Petites Antilles, nous avons etudie trois series de ceramiques de Guadeloupe (Antilles francaises), provenant d'occupations troumassoides bien datees entre AD 1000 et 1300 (ages radiometriques) ou de l'epoque de la ceramique tardive (AD 1000-1500). La signification des differents types d'inclusions dans ces ceramiques est discutee grace a leur etude en petrographie en microscopie optique et electronique, puis mise en regard des contextes geologiques locaux. Deux des sites etudies sont localises dans la partie volcanique de l'ile de Basse-Terre, tandis que le troisieme se trouve dans une zone dominee par le substratum sedimentaire de Grande-Terre et de sa couverture limoneuse. Les caracterisations petrographiques montrent l'usage de materiaux heterogenes locaux: inclusions aplastiques naturelles d'origine geologique ou pedologique (sables et cendres volcaniques, sols ferrugineux); ou l'ajout de chamottes (degraissant anthropique). Sur chacun des trois sites etudies la presence de chamottes est ainsi demontree pour plusieurs series modales. La confrontation des compositions des pates avec le chrono-typologie ceramique permet alors de conforter la proposition presentee par Donahue et al. (1990), qui place l'usage de la chamotte comme possible difference entre les assemblages troumassoides et pre-troumassoides. Nous emettons de plus l'hypothese d'une diffusion progressive dans les Petites Antilles, a partir des Guyanes. Cette idee defie l'idee communement acceptee que les Troumassoides s'individualisent progressivement depuis les series Saladoides sans influence externe.

Automated summary

The study compared pre-Columbian cultural affiliations in the Lesser Antilles by analyzing three ceramic series from Guadeloupe, revealing the differences in inclusions and suggesting a gradual diffusion of grog temper use from the Guianas. This challenges the commonly accepted idea that Troumassoid developed smoothly from locally present Saladoid ceramic series without external influence.