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Understanding Pottery Function pp 1–25Cite as

Understanding Pottery Function

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

Abstract

My ethnoarchaeological experience among the Kalinga changed forever the way I look at pottery. When I pick up a vessel and see the patterns of soot, I can also smell the smoky wood fire as it curls around the pot and then rises slowly to the roof. The charred residue over the lip makes me envision a boil-over and a doused fire because a cook was distracted by a fussy baby. As I run my fingers over the surface of a vessel I can see the clay-stained fingers of the potter, skillfully shaping the wall with a paddle and anvil as she jokes with the other potters.

Keywords

  • Thermal Shock Resistance
  • Intended Function
  • South Shore
  • Ceramic Vessel
  • Technical Choice

These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.

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

    James M. Skibo

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Skibo, J.M. (2013). Understanding Pottery Function. 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_1

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