A Report on Perforated Sherds from Central Nevada with a Tentative Suggestion for Their Use

Abstract

The suggestion is made that some of the earthenware vessels perforated by drilled holes and described as colanders may have been used, not as colanders, but as cages to contain small rodents or other captives.

Shoshoni brownware from Grass Valley, Nevada

“…This correlates with the varying thickness from the collection for comparative analysis. As a result there are discrepancies between the number of sherds Magee (1964Magee ( , 1967 reported at sites and the number of sherds at the same sites in this report.…”

“…A direct result of this situation is a fragmentary understanding of the age, exact distribution of the different Shoshonean tradition ceramics, the types of vessels, and the nature of their manufacture and use. In fact the discovery of Shoshoni Brownware in Grass Valley, Nevada, by Molly Magee Knudtsen, was the first find of Shoshoni ceramics in central Nevada (Magee, 1964). In order to preserve the data, Molly Knudtsen systematically recorded the archaeological sites and collected the artifacts that were exposed on the surface of the sites.…”

“…The purpose of the completed holes has been disputed. Magee (1967) suggested that the perforated sherds were fragments of a colander. In support of Magee's interpretation is the fact that five of the seven perforated sherds are body sherds.…”