As a ceramics analyst, I am uncomfortable with the cavalier use of the term
"colono ware" for all European and African cultures in the American East and
Southeast. I should think that a careful analysis of construction techniques,
x-ray defraction analysis, Neutron Activation Analysis, and a few other
simple visual observations would distinguish African slave pottery from Irish
from Danish from etc. immigrant groups. About 22 years ago, Julia Costello
organized a ceramics symposium at the Society for California Archaeology
Annual Conference in San Luis Obispo, Califoria and Jim Deetz advised caution
in the use of the term. I think we should follow Deetz's advice and
re-analyze those collections.
Ron May
Legacy 106, Inc.