Scientists take an in-depth analysis of rare and mysterious baked clay objects (BCOs) uncovered at an archaeological excavation at the Jaketown site in Mississippi. In this white paper, studies reveal that these pyramidal shaped or tetrahedron BCOs were used for both technical and social purposes, bringing people together for food and social interaction. An abstract of the paper is provided below.
Tetrahedron baked-clay objects from an early woodland context at the Jaketown site, Mississippi
Abstract | Excavations undertaken in 1951 and 2009 at the Jaketown site revealed a dense deposit of fragmented and intact pyramid-shaped baked-clay objects (BCOs) at the base of Mound A. …. The tetrahedron deposit represents one of the earliest dated Tchula contexts at ca. 2600 cal B.P., and was used over a short time for a social purpose that brought populations together for food consumption as a means of encouraging cooperation.
For more questions or additional information about the Jaketown Site project or on our Cultural Resources Group, contact Senior Archaeologist Lee Arco at 412.399.5047.
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