Technological Knowledge in the Production of Neolithic Majiayao Pottery in Gansu and Qinghai

Dammer, Evgenia

doi:doi:10.30861/9781407360317

Evgenia Dammer

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This book is the first comprehensive study of the technological knowledge needed to produce Neolithic Majiayao-style pottery (5300-4000 cal yr BP) which is famous for its painted designs in black and red. It examines the technological choices in the production of fine and coarse Majiayao-style pottery found across three river valleys, all located near the border area of Chinese provinces Gansu and Qinghai. Through macroscopic examination, thin-section petrography and experimental archaeology, this book investigates how the same pottery style was made across this large geographical area. Specifically, the study examines whether similar technological knowledge in pottery production at different places is connected to a yet unknown social knowledge shared by prehistoric communities. This book suggests that shared social knowledge could be the reason behind the wide distribution of this pottery style and its production technology.Seven appendices are available online to download, including primary data, photos, and photomicrographs from macroscopic and microscopic analyses of archaeological pottery and sampled geological material.

Front Cover
Title Page
Copyright Page
Archaeology of East Asia
Of Related Interest
Acknowledgements
Contents
List of Figures
List of Tables
Preface
Abstract
1. Introduction
- 1.1. Research topic and the study area
- 1.2. Previous studies on Majiayao-style pottery technology
- 1.3. Structure of this book
2. Theoretical Framework
- 2.1. Why are we using technological knowledge to investigate past communities?
- 2.2. Concepts for reconstructing technological knowledge: chaîne opératoire and technological choices
- 2.3. The social aspect of technological knowledge
- 2.4. Strategies of transmission and preservation of technological knowledge within social frameworks
Part I: Chaîne Opératoire and Technological Choices in Majiayao-style Pottery Production
- 3. Material and Methods
  - 3.1. Archaeological and geological materials
    - 3.1.1. Archaeological material: complete vessels
  - 3.2. Methods
    - 3.2.1. Macroscopic examination
    - 3.2.2. Experimental firings
    - 3.2.3. Thin-section petrography
- 4. Raw Materials
  - 4.1. Introduction
  - 4.2. Geological setting of the study area
    - 4.2.1. Tao River Valley
    - 4.2.2. Huangshui River Valley
    - 4.2.3. Yellow River Valley
    - 4.2.4. Summary
  - 4.3. Petrographic study of the pottery samples
    - 4.3.1. Majiayao
    - 4.3.2. Waguanzui
    - 4.3.3. Zhujiazhai
    - 4.3.4. Luohantang
    - 4.3.5. Summary of petrographic characteristics of pottery from all sites
  - 4.4. Analysis of geological samples
    - 4.4.1. Macroscopic analysis
    - 4.4.2. Thin-section petrography of geological samples
    - 4.4.3. Discussion: Technological choices in raw material selection and paste preparation
- 5. Construction Techniques
  - 5.1. Step 1: Constructing the lower body
  - 5.2. Step 2: Letting the lower body dry for a short period so it can support the upper part
  - 5.3. Step 3: Further shaping the lower body by beating with percussion tools and scraping
  - 5.4. Step 4: Constructing the upper body on top of the lower body
  - 5.5. Step 5: Building the neck
  - 5.6. Step 6: Finishing the rounded shape of the neck and rim by drawing on a turntable
  - 5.7. Step 8: Building and attaching the handles/grips and lids
  - 5.8. Summary
- 6. Decoration and Surface Treatment
  - 6.1. Introduction
  - 6.2. Painted vessels
    - 6.2.1. Burnishing: before or after paint application?
    - 6.2.2. Pigments and paint application
    - 6.2.3. Slip coating
  - 6.3. Cord-impressed and appliqué decoration
  - 6.4. Summary
    - 6.4.1. Paint
    - 6.4.2. Cord-impression and appliqué
- 7. Firing
  - 7.1. Archaeological evidence for Majiayao-period pottery kilns
  - 7.2. Firing conditions
  - 7.3. Summary
- 8. Summary of Part I
Part II: Technological Knowledge and Social Knowledge in Neolithic Northwest China
- 9. Discussion: Technological Knowledge and Social Knowledge in Neolithic Northwest China
  - 9.1. Part 1: Recognisable style
    - 9.1.1. Majiayao: combination of fabric, decoration type, and firing pattern
    - 9.1.2. Waguanzui: combination of fabric, decoration and firing pattern
    - 9.1.3. Zhujiazhai: combination of fabric, decoration and firing pattern
    - 9.1.4. Luohantang: combination of fabric, decoration and firing pattern
    - 9.1.5. All sites’ trends: comparative discussion
  - 9.2. Part 2: Connectivity between distant communities through shared technological and social knowledge
- 10. Conclusion
- 11. References
Back Cover