Hey Kyle, James,
I understand what you are thinking about, Kyle.
The spots where another mineral, probably pyrite, have leeched
out of the soapstone do look alot like the spots left by
tempering agents that have leeched out of ceramic pottery.
But this being a soapstone bowl, it's just soapstone,(or Talc),
and there was no temper involved. (Unless, ofcourse, the maker
lost his cool while manufacturing it.
)
The earliest ceramic pottery known of anywhere in the United
States was fiber-tempered. And in the process of firing the pot
the fiber would be burned out leaving spaces that resemble what
you are seeing in the soapstone.
I think the way-coolest thing about all of this is that the first and
oldest fiber-tempered ware was discovered on Stallings Island
in the Savannah River around Augusta. (I'm not sure but I think
the island is now under the waters of Thurmond Lake. ) And the
fiber that was used was Spanish Moss. The Stallings Island
site was a large shell midden.
Tho the beginning of the Woodland Period is usually associated
with the introduction of ceramic pottery and the Bow and Arrow,
fiber tempered pottery, named Stallings Island, actually predates
the Woodland Period and is considered Late Archaic. It is found
only in the southeast, including Florida, and west to Poverty
Point. Or, only in areas where you find Spanish Moss growing.
Crushed soapstone was used as a temper at different times and
that type of ware is called "grog-tempered".
If you would like to read more a good synopsis is,
www.nps.gov/seac/outline/04-woodland/index.htmThis is why I get such a rush out of the Sav. River basin. I look at
it as the "cradle of civilization" for North America! Our Nile River.
Also, you are right, the type of temper used in prehistoric
ceramics is one of the main diagnostic keys to distinguishing one
type, time, and area of manufacture from another.
Hope this helps, Joe
)