Foster Trailed-Incised: A GIS-Based Analysis of Caddo Ceramic Distribution

Abstract

The use of a Geographic Information System (GIS) allows for dynamic visualizations in the analysis of spatial distributions and the modeling of data clusters and outliers. An on-going analysis of Foster Trailed- Incised vessels found within the Caddo Homeland seeks to construct a distributional framework that can be applied and compared to additional Caddo ceramic types and site location attributes using a GIS database. Preliminary results show high frequencies of Foster Trailed-Incised vessels along the Ouachita and Red River drainages as well as along the Saline, Arkansas, and Little Missouri rivers in Arkansas. Additional possible varieties of Foster Trailed-Incised have been identified in Caddo, Ouachita and Morehouse parishes in Louisiana and at Caddo sites in northeast Texas. While a full analysis of the distribution of Foster Trailed-Incised vessels (and relationships with other Caddo vessel types) is far from complete, initial conclusions are presented in this article.