Household Ceramic Assemblage Attributes in the Sierra de los Tuxtlas, Veracruz, Mexico

Contemporary ceramic assemblage characteristics and pottery use-lives have important implications for archaeological research. The systematic collection of these data, however, has progressed slowly. This paper considers the factors affecting the size, composition, and use-life of ceramic assemblages within campesino households in the Sierra de los Tuxtlas, Veracruz, Mexico. Data indicate that assemblage size and composition are conditioned by a community's access to pottery, while longevity is strongly related to use-frequency and replacement costs. Rates of pottery replacement are presented to compare the ethnographic assemblage with a projected archaeological assemblage. The apparent differences underscore the importance of fully appreciating the behavioral forces affecting the formation of the ceramic record.