Isolation and Identification of Spanish Moss Fiber from a Sample of Stallings and Orange Series Ceramics

Abstract

A sample of Stallings and Orange series ceramics from riverine and coastal sites in South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida was analyzed for fiber content. A portion of each sherd was macerated in acids to release fibrous tempering agents. The fibers, as well as other potentially identifiable materials, were then isolated from the maceration and examined using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). A comparison with published anatomical descriptions and fresh plant material revealed that the Stallings series sherds contained fibers and scales of Tillandsia usneoides L. (Spanish moss). Fiber-tempered sherds of the Orange series from the Bluffton midden in Florida also contained Spanish moss, although it cannot be demonstrated at present that Spanish moss was the primary tempering agent of Orange series ceramics.