Understanding Pottery Function

James M. Skibo

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English

Springer-Verlag New York Inc.
23 October 2013

Archaeological methodology & techniques

Series: Manuals in Archaeological Method, Theory and Technique

The 1992 publication of Pottery Function brought together the ethnographic study of the Kalinga and developed a method and theory for how pottery was actually used. Since then, there have been considerable advances in understanding how pottery was actually used, particularly in the area of residue analysis, abrasion, and sooting/carbonization. At the 20th anniversary of the book, it is time to assess what has been done and learned. One of the concerns of those working in pottery analysis is that they are unsure how to “do” use-alteration analysis on their collection. Another common concern is understanding intended pottery function—the connections between technical choices and function. This book is designed to answer these questions using case studies from the author and his colleagues for applying use-alteration analysis to infer actual pottery function. The focus of Understanding Pottery Function is on how practicing archaeologists can infer function from their ceramic collection.

By: James M. Skibo
Imprint: Springer-Verlag New York Inc.
Country of Publication: United States
Edition: 2013 ed.
Dimensions: Height: 235mm, Width: 155mm, Spine: 11mm
Weight: 3.168kg
ISBN: 9781461496113
ISBN 10: 146149611X
Series: Manuals in Archaeological Method, Theory and Technique
Pages: 192
Publication Date: 23 October 2013
Audience: College/higher education , Professional and scholarly , Further / Higher Education , Undergraduate
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

1. Understanding Pottery Function.- 2. Intended Function: Inferring Manufacturing Performance.- 3. Sooting and Carbonization.- 4. Attrition.- 5. Residue.

James M. Skibo is a Distinguished Professor of Anthropology at Illinois State University and the 2012 recipient of the Society for American Archaeology’s Award for Excellence in Ceramic Analysis. Besides his ethnoarchaeological work in the Philippines he has conducted research in the American Southwest and he currently works in the Great Lakes and directs the Grand Island Archaeological Project.

Reviews for Understanding Pottery Function

From the reviews: James Skibo's volume, Understanding Pottery Function, is a well-written and well-researched foray into the complex study of vessel use. ... Skibo demonstrates through a number of case studies how fruitful partnerships between archeologists and chemists might be formed ... . Case studies, in turn, form an integral part of this book and are one of its most pronounced strengths. ... this book is a stand-alone beginners' guide for determining vessel function ... . (Joshua R. Lieto, North American Archaeologist, Vol. 35 (2), 2014) Understanding Pottery Function builds on Skibo's original 1992 book, Pottery Function. ... I have no doubt that on reading this volume archaeologists will find that they look at pottery in a completely different light. It will provide them with a means to answer long-debated and seemingly unanswerable questions and also inspire them to ask new ones. Undoubtedly this volume will become a standard point of reference for pottery specialists. I certainly will return to it time and time again. (Gareth Perry, Assemblage the Sheffield graduate journal of archaeology, November, 2013)