Storage and relative surplus at the Mississippian site of Moundville

Author: Casey R. Barrier
Affiliation: Museum of Anthropology, University of Michigan
Keywords: Ceramic typologies, Mississippian, Moundville, Storage, Surplus, Political economy
Article History: Received on 20 December 2010; Revised on 17 February 2011; Available online on 11 March 2011.

Theories linking surplus production to centralized political economies in complex societies, particularly Mississippian societies in Eastern North America, are examined.
This study investigates newly identified oversized ceramic storage technology in the Moundville region, disputing centralization models.
Surplus production appears organized by distinct social groups, varying in success over time.
Storage locations correlate with labor invested in mound construction and the usage of mounds, indicating complex political-economic relations.

Archaeological interest in complex societies and their dynamics led to nuanced understandings of social change, moving beyond mono-causal explanations.
Historical Context: Previous interpretations emphasized homogeneous social groupings; this study seeks to address the complexities within these societies.
Current research encourages a view of political economy that encompasses diverse social interactions, especially regarding surplus production.
Focus on how surplus organization relates to historical trajectories and the evolution of social complexities at Moundville.

Moundville Site History: Established around 1120 AD, marked by significant mound-building activities and increasing maize production leading to surplus creation.
Surplus production's role in Mississippian settlements highlights ongoing debates over the nature of elite versus commoner relationships.
A review of existing literature on surplus concepts reveals an ongoing need for clarity and definition in archaeological findings.

Surplus is defined as production exceeding the subsistence needs, but debated in terms of its utility and perceived absolute nature.
Historical Perspectives:
- Pearson (1957) argues against an absolute measure of surplus, emphasizing that all economies produce a relative surplus.
- Sahlins (1972) presents the Domestic Mode of Production (DMP) which undermines the idea of surplus production outside of community structures.
Importance of understanding surplus in relation to both social and economic dynamics is emphasized.

Types of Evidence: Surpluses inferred through:
1. Storage Facilities: Shift from large subterranean storage pits to above-ground granaries over time.
2. Material Evidence: Activities indicating surplus labor such as feasting or monumental construction.
The decline of subterranean pits aligns with a shift towards above-ground storage solutions, reflecting changing political economies.

Feasting: Seen as a significant ritual and political practice in Mississippian societies, helping to establish social hierarchies.
Studies show a complex interplay between elite access to surplus and communal storage activities.
Comparative analysis between different sites indicates variations in storage practices and social dynamics during the early Mississippian phases.

Focus on Ceramic Vessels: Use of oversized jars for food storage; significant size differentiation among jars highlights distinct functional roles.
Study Sites:
- Mound W: Analyzed for oversized jars, revealing mean diameters that imply usage for long-term storage.
- Hog Pen Site: Offered comparable data, suggesting general storage technologies across varied social contexts.
Data suggests competitive dynamics among residential groups with respect to surplus production capabilities.

Mound W Findings: 111 oversized jars identified, distinct in size and use compared to standard jars; indicates significant storage capacity.
Comparative analysis across regions shows similar proportions of oversized jars, highlighting common storage practices.

Current models often depict surplus production and control as centralized among elites, which may oversimplify diverse social interactions.
Local social configurations allowed various groups to engage in surplus production and compete for status and resources.
Suggests need for reevaluation of existing models regarding Mississippian societies and their complexities.

The Moundville community saw a resurgence in surplus production interwoven with ceremonial practices, revealing layered social and economic interactions.
This research provides insight into how distinct groups coalesced around shared resources and complex political economies in pre-historic societies, suggesting decentralized surplus production systems could have facilitated community resilience.