Lesson Plan

Timucua Pottery

A Timucua reenactor paints the face of a child.

Grade Level:: Upper Elementary: Third Grade through Fifth Grade
Subject:: Social Studies
Lesson Duration:: 30 Minutes
State Standards:: SS.A.6.2.5, VA.A.1.2.1, VA.A.1.2.2, VA.A.1.2.3, VA.A.1.2.4

Essential Question

How did the Timucuan make their own pottery?

Objective

Students will create their own pottery and decorate them with natural materials while learning about the tools and culture of the Timucuan Indians.

Background

Timucua potters made their pots from clay deposits found in the area. They also made patterns on their pots. Patterns served a number of purposes: 1) they allowed heat to be more evenly distributed while cooking, 2) they made the pots easier to hold so they wouldn't slip from your hands, 3) they made the pots beautiful.
Timucua potters would make decorations on their pots using: 1) wooden paddles: most often these had straight lines carved in them both vertically and horizontally, and when pressed against the clay they produced a checker board pattern that archaeologists call "check-stamping" 2) pointed objects: a pointed object, such as a stick with a carved tip, would be scratched across the surface to produce patterns of lines, both curved and straight. Archaeologists call this "incised" pottery.
Other groups of Florida Indians decorated their pots with: 1) shells to stamp a pattern 2) corn cobs to roll a pattern 3) cord or woven material wrapped around a wooden paddle and pressed onto the surface. Clay pots were used by the Timucua for storing and cooking food. They made their pots using the "coiling" method. They did this by rolling the clay into long circular "tube" shapes. These were made into circles or rings, then stacked and blended together one at a time to form a circular pot. Pots were air dried then heated in an open fire to harden. Clay pots are very heavy. When these vessels broke, the broken pieces were thrown into a trash pile, called a midden. Archaeologists can learn a lot from trash middens. When they find a broken piece of pottery they can tell how old it is by looking at the designs on it.

Preparation

Gather materials needed to make clay, according to recipe below.

Procedure

Step 1

Follow the recipe to make the clay:

1 c. Flour

2 t. Cream of Tarter

1/2 t. Salt

1 c. Water

Mix all ingredients in a pan over medium heat, stirring constantly until a ball forms or about 4 minutes. Remove from pan and let cool for about 5 minutes. Divide and knead dough pieces with food coloring or a drop of vanilla for scent (optional). Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.