Defining function in Neolithic ceramics: the example of Makriyalos, Greece

Abstract

Recent development in chemical analyses of organic remains in archaeological ceramics gives new possibilities to the study of pottery use. They could be of crucial importance in assessing vessel’s use, especially when combined with contextual, technomorphological and use-alteration analysis data. Using the example of the late Neolithic pottery from Makriyalos, Northern Greece, we discuss some of the problems in determining the use of the vessels from archaeological context, and show the benefits of integrating chemical analysis of organic remains in approaching this issue.

The Milky Way: Mobility and Economy at the Turn of the 3rd Millennium in Southern Central Europe

“…Obvious shapes, such as handled cups, are often associated with drinking, while morphological and technological characteristics such as fine fabrics, size, and an opened or necked form, as well as lavish decoration, are frequently taken to imply use for ‘special’ occasions, such as communal consumption (see, for instance, Urem-Kotsou et al . 2002; Füzesi & Raczky 2018, 72–9).…”

“…Furthermore, the intended and the actual function can differ and use, re-use, and multi-functionality can make determinations of vessel function difficult (Skibo 2013, 4-5). Obvious shapes, such as handled cups, are often associated with drinking, while morphological and technological characteristics such as fine fabrics, size, and an opened or necked form, as well as lavish decoration, are frequently taken to imply use for 'special' occasions, such as communal consumption (see, for instance, Urem-Kotsou et al 2002;Füzesi & Raczky 2018, 72-9).…”

Boiled or roasted? Bivalve cooking methods of early Puerto Ricans elucidated using clumped isotopes

“…The motivation of this study was to determine whether boiling, which may require the use of ceramic vessels, or roasting, which has no substantial technological requirement, was the preferred cooking method for the early inhabitants of Puerto Rico. Recent studies (9,10) investigating the abundance of clumped isotope bonds ( 18 O─ 13 C) in the CO 3 2− ion in biogenic aragonite (CaCO 3 ) reveal that the moderate heating (125° to 250°C) used in common culinary preparation techniques is sufficient to change the abundance of these bonds. The extent of this alteration is proportional to the duration of heating and peak heating temperature, and thus the clumped isotope distribution in the material (∆ 47 ) can be measured and used to infer the temperature of cooking, giving insight into the technique used.…”

“…Investigation of ancient culinary techniques gives valuable insight into the technologies available to ancient cultures. Food preparation techniques can be studied by examination of written accounts (1,2), excavated food preparation technology (3)(4)(5), and chemical analyses of archaeological sites and food waste (5)(6)(7)(8). Here, we present a study wherein peak cooking temperatures of the bivalve Phacoides pectinatus, recovered from a pre-Columbian shell midden in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico (Fig.…”

Forms, function, and use of Early Eneolithic pottery and settlement structures from ZgornjeRadvanje, Slovenia

“…, Costin 2000;Hegmon 2000;Eerkens 2005. 86), although it may be unrecognised initially, can give us further indications about the intended use of prehistoric ceramics (see also Henrickson, McDonald 1983;Schiffer, Skibo 1987;Rice 1987.207-232;Eerkens 2005.85-87, 96-97;Urem-Kotsou et al 2002). Yet, until recently, Slovenian archaeologists placed relatively little emphasis on such approaches (Mleku∫ et al 2012.331-335;2013.133-139;πoberl et al 2014.150-164).…”