Abstract
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In the American Southeast and Midwest large fabric-impressed pans have traditionally been associated with the evaporation of brine. Although many of these vessels were undoubtedly used to produce salt, their presence at non-salt making sites suggests that they may have served other functions. Using compound-specific isotope analysis, a sample of 74 fabric-impressed pan sherds from 12 sites in the Middle Cumberland Region of Tennessee were tested for the presence of absorbed organic residues. Four residues from four different sites yielded evidence of C4 plant contribution, indicating that these vessels were likely involved in the preparation of maize. Twenty-five interpretable residues appeared to derive from C3 resources, suggesting that the vessels were also involved in the preparation of non-maize resources.[ER1]
[ER1]Not sure if you want to include this. See note in the Results section.