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The Beauty of "Ugly" Eskimo Cooking Pots

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Lisa Frink  and
Karen G. Harry
Lisa Frink
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology and Ethnic Studies, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 4505 Maryland Parkway, Box 455003, Las Vegas, Nevada 89154-5003 (lisa.frink@unlv.edu; karen.harry@unlv.edu)
Karen G. Harry
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology and Ethnic Studies, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 4505 Maryland Parkway, Box 455003, Las Vegas, Nevada 89154-5003 (lisa.frink@unlv.edu; karen.harry@unlv.edu)
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Abstract

Arctic Alaskan ceramics offer several interpretive challenges for the archaeologist. In contrast to most cross-cultural patterns, these cooking vessels were produced by hunter-gatherers living in a cool and humid environment and were used to cook meat rather than starchy seeds. Additionally, when compared to cooking vessels and techniques from other areas of the world, their shapes and textures are atypical and appear poorly suited for their intended use. At first impression, these vessels might appear to reflect simply a lack of technological expertise. However, we argue that when considered in relation to the local social and environmental context under which these vessels were produced and used, these apparent contradictions can be understood.

Résumé

Résumé

Los estudios de la cerámica de la zona ártica de Alaska es un tema relativamente inexplorado en arqueología. En este trabajo investigamos los problemas que afrontaron los alfareros en la costa occidental de Alaska. En gran parte, los arqueólogos que estudian la tecnología de la cerámica enfocan su investigación sobre cómo las decisions relacionadas a la tecnología responden al uso previsto de las vasijas. Sin embargo, en el caso referente a la olla de los esquimales Yup'ik, este enfoque limita su interpretación. En contraste, esperamos demostrar que hay mejores explicaciones si se toma en cuenta el contexto social, el medio ambiente, y la tecnología empleada en la construcción y uso de las vasijas. Proponemos que los desafíos ambientales, las condiciones socioeconómicas y el uso preferencial determinan los atributos tecnológicos de las vasijas.

Type
Reports
Information
American Antiquity , Volume 73 , Issue 1 , January 2008 , pp. 103 - 120
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for American Archaeology 2008

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