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(c) Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, Deerfield MA. All rights reserved.
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This steatite vessel was made and used by Native Americans in Deerfield between 6,000 and 3,000 years ago. It is made from a soft stone that was carved and shaped into bowls, kettles, cups, and other eating/storage/cooking utensils. Native Americans used stone containers to prepare and cook soups and stews. The stone would harden when it was heated. Stone containers were replaced when Native people in New England began to make pottery vessels out of clay starting about 3,000 years ago.

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