Abstract
In this paper, we propose an alternative analytical method for identifying vessel shaping techniques at the mesoscopic scale to complement current micro and macro methods in ceramic analysis. We demonstrate how this simple and low cost method permits clear and rapid identification of the signatures indicative of different pottery shaping techniques. The datasets that are generated using this method provide a new perspective on vessel structure for characterising neglected stages of the chaîne opératoire, with the analytical potential to shed further light on economic life, learning frameworks, and group identities. Material from the Early Bronze Age III of Tell eṣ-Ṣâfi/Gath, Israel are used to demonstrate the utility of the method on a site assemblage. We identify different combinations of coiling techniques used to make different vessel types and propose that potters are specialising in the production of specific parts of the repertoire.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 551-561 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports |
Volume | 18 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Apr 2018 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2018 Elsevier Ltd
Funding
The authors thank the staff and many volunteers on the Tell eṣ-Ṣâfi/Gath excavation project. Special thanks must be extended to Shira Albaz for her unstinting patience and efforts in cataloguing Area E pottery and sharing data on the Early Bronze typology for the Tell eṣ-Ṣâfi/Gath assemblage. Infrastructure and funding for the research was through the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada ( 410-2009-1303 to H. Greenfield and # 895-2011-1005 to H. Greenfield and A. Maeir), The University of Manitoba , St. Paul's College, and a University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowship. Any errors are the responbility of the authors.
Funders | Funder number |
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University of Manitoba | |
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada | 895-2011-1005, 410-2009-1303 |
Keywords
- Early Bronze Age
- Israel
- Levant
- ceramic analysis
- ceramic production
- ceramic shaping techniques
- preferred orientation
- thick section