The light tan colored 5 gallon vessel in "corn crib". Reproduction of Moundville vessel 700-1200 CE.

Trail of Tears Era reproduction.

Trail of Tears Era reproduction.

Reproduction of pottery from Moundville 700-1200 CE.

Reproduction of pottery from Moundville 700-1200 CE.

Reproduction of pottery from Moundville 700-1200 CE.

Reproduction of pottery from Moundville 700-1200 CE.

Reproduction of pottery from Moundville 700-1200 CE.

Two Mississippi Museums bought one Horned Serpent Vase (background of picture, two Horned Serpent Vases show the front and back of vase).  A toad effigy bowl, a Mobile Bay Choctaw bowl, and a river cane serpent bowl with 8 handles (left to right, respectively).

Black walnuts were a vital part of the Choctaw diet.  (Four black walnut shells are shown at the top of the picture.) Smooth river rocks were used to burnish pottery. Burnishing made the pottery shiny and waterproof. River Cane is used to etch pottery and the deer horn is used in shaping the pottery. The small pottery piece at the bottom of the picture, shows a coil of clay coming off the pottery. These are sometimes found as artifacts.

Mussel shells were used as scrapers to shape and smooth pottery.  Cooked, ground mussel shells were used to temper clay.

Grinding stones sometimes had divots to place pecans and black walnuts in to make it easier to shell them for food preparation.