An exploration of new methods of ceramic analysis: Examining pottery sherds from American Samoa using computed tomography, physical examination, and residue analysis

Materials from archaeological assemblages around the world have been examined using a variety of methods in order to obtain data that can contribute to our understanding of past societies, cultures, and behaviors. In particular, ceramics have been analyzed to obtain data that can be used to determine how pottery was manufactured and how its use changed over time. While many ceramic analyses employ established methods of examination such as physical analysis, new methods have been developed. This thesis explored the use of computed tomography (CT), physical examination, and residue analysis to examine a collection of pottery sherds from four archaeological sites in American Samoa. The results obtained from this research were used to determine if CT and residue analysis could be viable for ceramic analysis in addition to determining if changes in ceramic manufacture could be documented over space and time in American Samoa.