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Sooting and Carbonization

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Understanding Pottery Function

Part of the book series: Manuals in Archaeological Method, Theory and Technique ((MATT))

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Abstract

One primary advantage of ceramic vessels, in comparison to other containers, is that they can be placed directly over or in a fire to process its contents. There are, however, multiple ways that this can be done and many different processing strategies. For example, a pot can be placed in a fire, on supports, or suspended over a fire to boil, simmer, or roast its contents. If an archaeologist is interested in inferring cooking-related activities, then patterns of external or internal carbonization can provide important clues.

To judge from the paucity of published references, few archaeologists take note of soot deposits on the pottery they are analyzing and fewer still seem to recognize it as evidence of vessel use. (Hally 1983a, p. 7)

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  1. Anthropology Program, Illinois State University, Normal, IL, USA

    James M. Skibo

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Skibo, J.M. (2013). Sooting and Carbonization. In: Understanding Pottery Function. Manuals in Archaeological Method, Theory and Technique. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-4199-1_3

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