Speculations on the sources of coal associated with thirteenth-century archaeological site, Lee County, southwestern Virginia

Abstract

Seventeen objects from a thirteenth-century archaeological site in southwestern Virginia were petrographically examined to determine whether they were cannel coal. Cannel coal was used by indigenous groups in parts of North America to craft pendants and other items and may have been a valued trade commodity during the late precontact period in the Southeast. Potential coal samples were subjected to petrographic study to determine their lithology. Results suggests that, for some indigenous groups at that time, cannel coal was a secondary but valued resource for craft (such as jewelry and weaving implements) production and possibly exchange.