Iron Age Ceramic Technology : A Petrographic Approach

Presentation Type

Oral and/or Visual Presentation

Presenter Major(s)

Anthropology

Mentor Information

Melissa Morison

Department

Classics

Location

Kirkhof Center 2266

Start Date

11-4-2012 3:30 PM

Keywords

Culture, Historical Perspectives, World Perspective

Abstract

What are the cultural consequences of migration and resettlement? As the Iron Age Empire of Urartu expanded, representatives of conquered groups were forced to move and to live together at the capital city of Ayanis. After a population movement like this, change in production of objects that express identity and status (e.g., ceramic vessels) can be an important indicator of cultural change resulting from enforced migration. Did the immigrant groups at Ayanis continue to produce vessels using their own traditional methods, or change their techniques as a result of close contact with other cultural groups? To answer this, pottery and clay samples from Ayanis and other Urartian sites were analyzed. Petrographic study (including both qualitative observation and point-counting) provided evidence for differential patterning in clay resource exploitation. Distinct fabric groups suggest continuity of regional production traditions even following compulsory migration to the capital city.

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Apr 11th, 3:30 PM

Iron Age Ceramic Technology : A Petrographic Approach

Kirkhof Center 2266

What are the cultural consequences of migration and resettlement? As the Iron Age Empire of Urartu expanded, representatives of conquered groups were forced to move and to live together at the capital city of Ayanis. After a population movement like this, change in production of objects that express identity and status (e.g., ceramic vessels) can be an important indicator of cultural change resulting from enforced migration. Did the immigrant groups at Ayanis continue to produce vessels using their own traditional methods, or change their techniques as a result of close contact with other cultural groups? To answer this, pottery and clay samples from Ayanis and other Urartian sites were analyzed. Petrographic study (including both qualitative observation and point-counting) provided evidence for differential patterning in clay resource exploitation. Distinct fabric groups suggest continuity of regional production traditions even following compulsory migration to the capital city.