Abstract
Two separate pottery types, Kura-Araxes and Velikent Fine Wares can be found together at a number of Early Bronze Age sites in the Northeastern Caucasus. These ceramics are strikingly different in their appearance. Velikent Fine Ware bears indications that it may have been fired at a much higher temperature than Kura-Araxes wares. The obvious contrasts in their production raised suspicions that Velikent Fine Wares represented either an import or an intrusive production regime perhaps linked to the advent of Bronze metallurgy in this region or at least relying on a shared pyrotechnology. Prior results of Xeroradiographic analysis and INAA are merged with recent re-firing analysis to examine these hypotheses. The findings suggest that while a specific link between metal and pottery production cannot be confirmed, the emergence of divergent firing practices within an otherwise unified production tradition speaks to complex relationships between craftspeople within Early Bronze Age communities in the Caucasus.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
J. Sofaer. Oxford J Arch. 25 (2), 127–147 (2006).
A. Livingstone-Smith. J Arch Sci. 28, 991–1003 (2001).
P. Kohl, The Making of Bronze Age Eurasia. (Cambridge University Press, New York, 2007) p.108.
P. Kohl, The Making of Bronze Age Eurasia. (Cambridge University Press, New York, 2007) p.107.
P. Kohl, The Making of Bronze Age Eurasia. (Cambridge University Press, New York, 2007) p. 108.
M. Gadzhiev, P. Kohl, R. Magomendov, D. Stronach, and Sh. Gadzhiev. Eur Ant 6, 47–123 (2000).
M. Heinsch and P. Vandiver. in Beyond the Steppe and the Sown, edited by D.L. Peterson, L.M. Popova and A.T.Smith (Brill, Boston, 2006) pp. 382–394.
M. Heinsch, in press.
M. Gadzhiev, P. Kohl, R. Magomendov, D. Stronach, and Sh. Gadzhiev. Eur Ant 6, 47–123 (2000).
P. Vandiver. Archeomaterials. 2, 139–174 (1988).
O. Rye, Archaeometry 19 (2), 205–211 (1977).
R.L. Bishop and H.J. Neff, in Archaeological Chemistry IV, edited by R.O.Allen (American Chemical Society, Washington, D.C., 1989) pp. 576–586.
M. Heinsch, in press.
M. Heinsch, in press.
M.S. Tite and Y. Maniatis. Nature 257, 122–123 (1975).
G. Palumbi. ANES 40, 80–134 (2003).
A. Sagona. The Caucasian Region in the Early Bronze Age (BAR International, London, 1984).
R. Grimshaw. The Chemistry and Physics of Clay. 4th ed. (John Wiley and Sons, New York, 1971) p. 764.
J.Feathers. Am Ant 54 (3), 579–588 (1989).
M. Tite, I Feestone, N, Meeks and M. Bimson. In Archaeological Ceramics. Ed J. Olin and A. Franklin (Smithsonian, Washington D.C, 1982) pp. 109–120.
M.S. Tite and Y. Maniatis. Nature 257, 122–123 (1975).
O. Rye. PotteryTechnology, (Taraxacum, Washington, 1981) p. 98.
H. Miller. In The Prehistory and History of Ceramic Kilns. (American Ceramic Society, 1997) pp. 41–72.
P. Moorey. Ancient Mesopotamian Materials and Industries. (Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1994) p.144.
O. Gosselain. J Arch Sci 19, 243–259 (1992).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Heinsch, M. Divergent Pottery Firing Practices at the Advent of the Early Bronze Age: The Social Integration of Crafts and Craftspeople at Kura-Araxes Sites in the Northeastern Caucasus. MRS Online Proceedings Library 1319, 907 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1557/opl.2011.798
Published:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1557/opl.2011.798