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Investigating Ceramic Technology During Archaeological Field Seasons

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 March 2011

Robert C. Henrickson*
Affiliation:
National Museum of Natural History (Anthropology), Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC 20560
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Abstract

Investigation of many aspects of ancient ceramic production technologies is feasible during an archaeological field season, and requires little equipment. Descriptive variables such as color, inclusions ( temper ), variable textures within the paste, surface finish, hardness, and decorative techniques and style provide technological as well as stylistic or typological data. Residual surface traces, the surfaces of breaks themselves, and their overall patterning relative to both the vessel shape and size provide forming and finishing data. Subsequent laboratory analysis of samples complements the field data.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2002

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References

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