Anthro 132TS

Ceramic Analysis in Archaeology

Syllabus

Spring 2001

MWF 11-11:50, HSSB 1021, and TBA.

Stuart Tyson Smith

HSSB 1016, o. 893-7887, email: stsmith@sscf.ucsb.edu

Synopsis: This class will provide students with an overview of how ceramics are used in archaeology. It will demonstrate how studies of this important material category allow anthropologically oriented archaeologists to learn about the people behind the pots. Topics will include pottery manufacture, classification, stylistic and functional analysis, scientific analysis, chronology, production and exchange, ceramic consumption and socio-political organization.

Grading: Students will participate in a series of hands-on practica, including short written reports, which will count for two thirds of the grade. A comprehensive final exam will make up one third of the grade. Guidelines for the practica and the critique will be handed out, and a study guide provided for the Final exam. Attendance is mandatory, absences should be excused and the practica must be made up.

Required Texts: Carla Sinopoli, Approaches to Archaeological Ceramics (New York: Plenum, 1991); and Owen Rye, Pottery Technology. Principles and reconstruction (Washington DC: Taraxacum, 1981).

Students will also have to purchase some supplies and equipment (see separate list). Additionally there will be a lab fee for hands on experience in making and firing pottery at the West Campus Kiln. The dates and times of this activity are TBA.

Schedule:

Apr. 2-6 Introduction

Why are ceramics important in archaeology? Goals/uses of ceramic analysis. Origins of pottery production.

Practicum: Examination and description of sherds from Nubia.

Report: Select a region/culture to focus upon.

Readings: Sinopoli pp. 1-8; Rye pp. 1-15.

Apr. 9-13 Pottery manufacture

Ceramic ecology: raw materials, environment. Production sequence, decoration, drying, firing.

Practicum: Identify basic production technologies from sherds..

Report: What manufacturing techniques were used in your own area?

Readings: Sinopoli pp. 9-42; Rye pp. 16-40; 96-110.

Apr. 16-20 Style and Decoration

Form and Function. Basic uses of shape categories. What is style? What do decorative motifs signify?

Practicum: Establish stylistic definitions for decoration from sherds. Illustration of ceramics 1.

Report: How are decoration and style used in your own area?

Readings: Sinopoli pp. 119-141; Rye 40-46.

Apr. 22-27 Ceramic Typology and Classification

Archaeological sampling and typologies. Purposes of classification. Types of typologies.

Practicum/Report: Create a basic typology using sherds. Mending pottery (with a modern Flowerpot). Illustration of ceramics 2.

Readings: Sinopoli pp. 43-68, 171-210.

Apr. 30- May 4 Ceramics and chronology

Relative and chronometric techniques. TL-Dating. Cross Dating, Sequence Dating, Stratigraphy, Seriation.

Practicum: Compare sherds to typologies. Illustration continued.

Report: How well do sherds match existing typologies?

Readings: Sinopoli pp. 74-82.

May 7-11 Technical Analyses

Physical properties and function. Compositional analysis: Petrographic, XRF, NAA, etc. Use wear and residue analysis.

Practicum/Report: Examination without magnification and with a 10x loop for fabric characterization and identification of methods of decoration and manufacture.

Readings: Rye pp. 46-95, 110-122, 135-137.

May 14-18 Residue Analysis

Fatty acids and GC/MS Analysis. Use-wear analysis.

Practicum: Describe your sherds again.

Report: What kind of foods were eaten in your time/area? What are there fatty acid ‘profiles’.

May 21-25 Production, distribution and exchange

Direct and indirect archaeological evidence for organization of production. Recognizing production facilities in the archaeological record. Sourcing ceramics, regional interaction and exchange.

Practicum: TBA. Identifying imports from Sherds.

Report: What are the dynamics of production, distribution and exchange in your area?

Readings: Sinopoli 69-73, 98-118; Rye pp. 123-134.

May 28 Memorial Day Holiday

May 30, June 1 Ceramic consumption and socio-political organization

Spatial patterning. Ceramic similarity/variability and social interaction.

Practicum: TBA.

Report: How does ceramic consumption reflect socio-political organization in your area?

Readings: Sinopoli pp. 143-160.

June 4, 6 Ceramics and the household

Use and activity distribution. Style and the individual. Households and communities.