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Approaches to Pottery: Archaeology, Archaeometry, and Experimental Archaeology

Module description

This module provides you with a critical overview of key techniques for analysing archaeological pottery, using methods from archaeology, archaeometry (archaeological science) and experimental archaeology. Ceramic artefacts constitute an important part of archaeological assemblages from the Neolithic to the modern period. It is therefore essential you develop an understanding of their production and use as well as potential avenues of their study. This module offers you both classroom-based teaching and an intensive practical experience, with the latter being made up of experimental archaeological work with pottery as well as scientific lab-based activities. The experimental part of the module will focus on hand-made pottery, which was used worldwide by prehistoric societies, as well as in many early medieval contexts across the Old World.

The abilities you will acquire in the module are applicable to research, academic teaching and public outreach. No special prior knowledge or experience is necessary to succeed in this module but an interest in practical skills is strongly recommended. Summary knowledge about archaeological pottery at an undergraduate level is also useful, but not absolutely necessary. Skills gained in this module will enable you to extend their interest to dissertation research through the analysis of archaeological collections, the use of archaeological science methods and/or experimental work. This module may contribute to materials research and material culture studies.

Module aims - intentions of the module

The module will outline the theory and practice of pottery analysis within archaeology, giving a classroom-based overview of research traditions as well as basic practical competence in archaeometry and experimental archaeology of pottery. Pottery forms an enduring and extensive source of archaeological evidence. Its location in relation to source is used as evidence for landscape exploitation and exchange, whilst the careful analysis of the ceramic artefacts makes it possible to interpret technology, use and artefact histories. All these show what people were doing and how their societies were organised. The module will be a mixture of theories and practice, centred on gaining the skill of interpreting ceramic artefacts.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the range and application of techniques in the study of archaeological pottery
• 2. Demonstrate practical competence in archaeometry and experimental archaeology of pottery as well as an ability to critically reflect on the practical work carried out during the module

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 3. Develop an ability to interpret a variety of information forms,
• 4. Develop an ability to link theoretical and practical knowledge

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 5. Present to a high level clearly structured, well written and appropriately illustrated arguments
• 6. Take part in group discussions, and ask pertinent questions at the forefront of the subject
• 7. Learn constructively from verbal and written feedback

Syllabus plan

Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:

• Research traditions of pottery analysis in archaeology (class-based)
• Scientific methods in the analysis of ceramic artefacts (class-based and practical, with the practical element focusing on thin sections)
• Experimental production of hand-made pottery (practical; includes collecting raw materials, forming vessels, firing, and reflection on the results)

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 50%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 50%.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

• Barclay, K., 2001: Scientific analysis of archaeological ceramics: a handbook of resources. Oxford: Oxbow.
• Herold, H. 2010: The Ceramic ‘Tableware’ of the Carolingian Period in Zalavár, South-West Hungary, Antaeus, Communicationes ex Instituto Archaeologico Academiae Scientiarum Hungariae 31–32, 155–172. [Available on academia.edu]
• Herold, H. 2015: Technological Traditions in Early Medieval Eastern Austria. In Heinrich-Tamáska, O., Herold, H., Straub, P. and Vida, T. (eds): Castellum, civitas, urbs: Centres and Elites in Early Medieval East-Central Europe. Leipzig and Budapest: Verlag Marie Leidorf, 329–344. [Available on academia.edu]
• Hunt, A. (ed.) 2017: Oxford Handbook of Archaeological Ceramic Analysis, Oxford: Oxford University Press.
• Orton, C. and Hughes, M. 2013: Pottery in archaeology. Second edition. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
• Orton, C., Tyers, P. and Vince, A. 1993: Pottery in archaeology. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
• Rice, P. M. 2015: Pottery analysis: a sourcebook. Second edition. Chicago and London: University of Chicago Press.
• Tite, M. S. 1999: Pottery production, distribution and consumption – the contribution of the physical sciences. Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory 6(3), 181–233.

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

• Rye, O. S. and Evans, C. 1976: Traditional Pottery Techniques of Pakistan: Field and Laboratory Studies. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press. [Available from the Smithsonian at https://doi.org/10.5479/si.00810223.21.1 ]

Key words search

Pottery, ceramics, archaeology, archaeometry, archaeological science, experimental archaeology