Pottery and Occupation Histories - Essay Example

7 March Pottery and Occupation Histories Introduction Pottery is a critical component of ancient civilisation’s archaeological records. The study of the types of items made as well as their chronological markers and the excavation sites from which they came allows historians to determine the level of interactions that occurred between groups. By learning about ancient technology and behaviour through pottery, it is possible to know about settlement practice. Factors that affected ceramic tradition are thus critical in getting to know lifestyles and occupation histories of ancient cultures. What pottery tells us Modern archaeometric techniques are critical in analysing historical facts. Pottery may be studied through the use of x-ray diffraction, neutron activation analysis, or typical radiography (Renfrew and Bahn 54). These methods enable archaeologists to determine the composition and structure of the product. As a result, one may understand manufacturing and trade patterns related to the artefact, the firing and tempering techniques, intersections between pottery and other metal-based technologies, and conservation methods associated with the products. From as far back as 4000 to 3000 BC, ancient Egyptians engaged in the production of pottery. An analysis of Egyptian pots enables one to determine Egyptian influence throughout ancient civilisations. In fact, predynastic pottery from Palestine has been examined and found to possess Nile Mud. It is thus possible to trace settlements and trade that may have occurred at this period in time. Historians often classify Egyptian pottery into two categories; Nile silt ware and marl clay type. The former was used for utilitarian purposes and came from Nile clay. After firing these items, the product would become red-brown in colour. Conversely, marl clay ware was from Upper Egypt and superior to the former. It has a somewhat shiny glaze and thus held greater value. Ancient Greece is one of the most significant sources of early pottery. Owing to the durability and composition of the products, individuals were able to preserve them for thousands of years. Prior to the 1050BC, The Mycenaeans occupied Greece and caused a cultural collapse similar to the dark ages of Europe (Mee and Renard 83). Individuals were unable to create artefacts or express themselves culturally. However, these activities resumed in the protogeometrical era, right after 1050 BC. This pottery shows archaeologists that people had settled and were comfortable enough to make their own products. The fact that they decorated them with paintings also indicated that they had the tools and expertise needed to make those designs. At first, geometric pottery was relatively simply but its designs got more intricate after 900BC. Human figures showed up after this period in what historians now call orientalised pottery. Some of the sites in which these early forms of pottery were obtained have a lot to show modern day historians how settlements occurred then. In this period, production of pottery was initially minimal. In some sites, such as Franchthi, about a dozen vessels were found. However, production continued to increase as this era wore on. Estimates indicate that about 150 vessels were created at the time. Initially, the pottery came in the form of bowls and cups. It is easy to deduce that these items were utilised for food and drinks. However, they appeared to be ritualised or reserved only for special occasions. With the continual increase of pottery in this era, it is likely that its use was also widened. The introduction of agriculture has certain associations with the emergence of pottery, especially at the beginning of the discovery. Pottery provided great advantages to the population with regard to agricultural items. They could store the food, cook it and serve it in these ceramics (Rice 70). The versatility of these products was not initially evident, but would soon become obvious with continual use of the same. This explains why the curvature and appearance of most products in the early period seemed to have a distinct look. Most items recovered from the geometrical era had high pedestals or looked like open bowls. Such products were largely used to store items. However, later in that period, cooking vessels were recovered. Even bulk storage seemed not to be a priority for these individuals until several centuries later. Jars and bowls were quite common and collar-necked jars helped in storage of goods during the short term. One may deduce this from the low centre of gravity of these jars. Several people may have kept liquids in them for a short time. Their rims were curved inwards thus indicating that it was relatively difficult to pour out the contents frequently. Bowls also had rims that coincided with the use of lids, which indicates that their users were supposed to apply it for decantation. It is likely that a viscous type of liquid may have been served in the deep bowls. Shallow bowls were inappropriate for liquids as they had high pedestals. Some analysts have suggested that these bowls were yogurt pots. In essence, most of the pottery created at the time was for domestic consumption of food and drink. This could have been their primary function even though some of it also had ornamental purposes. The residents of ancient Greece also wanted to please their guests through the impressive artistry on their ceramics. The vessels were largely designed for families owing to their sizes. On average, most of them have a height of 7 cm and a mean diameter of 14cm (Bintliff et. al. 260). Such a capacity would have enabled them to serve one or two families. It appears that most of the pottery at that time was made locally rather than exchanged and acquired from other communities. The domestic nature of the commodity proves this fact. Motifs and styles on these ceramics can tell historians the degree of interaction between communities. The size and shape of the vessels proves that they were useful for sharing among families. However, since cooking occurred outside, it is likely that items were shared between households. A high degree of communality must have existed at the time. The great detail placed on the ceramics is evidence of how more than one household may have been involved in sharing of the food. Feasts may have been taking place in these locations because of the nature of the products. Agricultural surplus had now become a source of symbolic capital through social competition. In places like Peloponnese, a common style of pottery was existent thereof. However, when one moved to another site such as Kouphovuono, the style there was relatively different (Johnson and Perles 36). These villages could have different preferences, but distinct patterns in each community due to interactions with one another. Making ceramics was relatively intricate, so this may have involved some specialists in each community. Perhaps those who had perfected the skill were making items for the rest of their villagers. The theory of social interaction posits that people who interact with one another are likely to create items with stylistic similarities. However, the nature of contact is not easy to deduce from mere designs. Style also plays a role in facilitation of communication between parties. It promotes group identity at the community level and enforces boundaries among various entities. Sometimes these differences could also be maintained among families or even individuals. Shared pottery styles could be indicative of some degree of social contact between communities. For instance persons from Lerna, Asea and Ayioryitika could have been in contact with one another. It is likely that minimal trade interactions took place between the latter communities. Some archaeologists have suggested that since production of these pieces may have needed direct instruction, then inter-communal marriages may have transmitted those similarities. Between 8th and 7th century, Eastern Greece was characterised by oriental pottery. This emanated from trade with Asian Minor. Their designs affected styles painted on the ceramics. Animals, vines and flowers were typical motifs. The City of Corinth was the first to initiate these designs and was responsible for the spread of the same style throughout Greece (Crowell and Cavanagh 93). Abstract oriental patterns eventually began to appear in subsequent periods. Corinthian art no longer focused on animal and plant figures like it did before. This period of orientalised pottery lasted until 900-600BC. Most of the items made at this time had shoulder bowls and were convex in nature; shallow bowls were still present. However, because of the fact that they were on pedestals, one can assume that they had little practical value. They were meant to be seen and appreciated for their beauty. It appears that little correlation existed between shapes and the application of those wares. After 600BC, pottery now entered the black figure era. Black figure pottery is one of the most predominant forms of ancient Greek ceramics. It has iconic representations of black figures intricately painted and decorated. One can deduce the facial features, weaponry and clothes of those individuals on the basis of these black figures. A number of the figures were based on Greek mythology and their weapons were painted in yellows and reds. Gods such as Zeus, Athena and Achilles inspired these pieces. The black figure technique was heavily priced in subsequent periods owing to the utility of some of these items. The Panathenaic amphora was a vase found in Athens. It would contain sacred olive oil to be given to the winner of the Panathenic games in Athens. The vase had a standard shape and capacity of about 10.5 litres. This was indicative of the level of significance that ceramics had acquired during that era. Conclusion Pottery in archaeology is critical in illustrating the level of interactions that took place between groups. In Egypt, the presence of Nile mud was proof of the movements and areas of settlements by these groups. In ancient Greece, initially, painting styles were unique to various communities. However, similarities that emerged indicated that some degree of social networks had been formed between different members. Corinth would later be a critical influence upon various sites in the region as pottery styles would mimic oriental work. Works Cited Bintliff, J, E. Farinetti and K. Sbonias. “Classical farms, hidden prehistoric landscapes and Greek rural survey.” Journal of Mediterranean Archaeology 15(2002): 259-265. Print. Crowell, J. and W. Cavanagh. The survey area in the prehistoric periods. London: British School at Athens, 2002. Print. Johnson, M. and C Perles. An overview of settlement patterns in eastern Thessaly. Cambridge: McDonald Institute, 2004. Print. Mee, C. and J. Renard. Cooking up the past: Food and Culinary practices in the Neolithic and Bronze age. Oxford: Oxbow Books, 2007. Print. Renfrew, C. and P. Bahn. Archaeology: Theories, methods and practice. NY: Thames and Hudson, 1996. Print. Rice, P. Pottery Analysis: A sourcebook. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1990. Print. Read More