ORGANIC RESIDUE ANALYSIS (FTIR) OF SHERDS FROM THE KANSAS MONUMENT SITE (14RP1) IN REPUBLIC COUNTY, KANSAS

Curated ceramic pottery sherds from the archaeological site 14RP1, an historic Pawnee site, represent economic activity during the period A.D. 1775, or very slightly earlier, to 1802, when the site was occupied. Excavations during the 1960's by the Kansas State Historical Society produced a large population of sherds that were subsequently curated. Six ceramic sherds were selected from different proveniences for organic residue analysis using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Of particular interest are questions relating to changing technology under increasing contact with Europeans/Euroamericans. Vessel form changed and vessel function also likely changed, narrowing through time. FTIR analysis of organic residues removed from the fabric of these sherds offers the opportunity to address the vessel function represented and provide a signature for this narrow window of time that may then be compared with evidence from other sites and occupations to enlarge the scope of time represented.