Technological transfer in production of Majiayao-style pottery between Neolithic communities in northwest China

Thesis

This study investigates the transfer of technological knowledge in production of the Neolithic Majiayao-style pottery (5300-4000 cal yr BP) on the territories of the modern Chinese provinces Gansu and Qinghai. The Majiayao-style pottery includes fine painted ware and coarse cord-impressed ware. Both wares of the Majiayao style were widely distributed across different river valleys located hundreds of kilometres away from each other. This study investigates whether there are similarities in production technology of the Majiayao-style beyond the shape and decoration and addresses communication and connectivity of prehistoric people living in the Tao River, Huangshui River, and the Yellow River valleys.

The methods of macroscopic examination, ceramic petrography and experimental firing of raw materials were used to reconstruct the chaîne opératoire of the Majiayao-style pottery from sites in three river valleys. The results of this study revealed similarities in raw materials and techniques for making this pottery in different locations indicating common technological knowledge that could have been disseminated among potters. The combination of macroscopic and microscopic analyses has shown that there are patterns in connection between coarse and fine clay pastes with specific decoration and firing atmospheres. The observations suggest that beside the technological knowledge, the production of Majiayao-style pottery also required specific social knowledge to connect outer appearance of the Majiayao style with the production materials and techniques.

Authors: Dammer, E

• DOI: 10.5287/ora-kkpozevn6
• Type of award: DPhil
• Level of award: Doctoral
• Awarding institution: University of Oxford
• Language: English
• Keywords: experimental archaeology; pottery technology; technological knowledge transfer; ceramic petrography; pottery analysis; Chinese archaeology; prehistoric pottery analysis
• Subjects: Chinese archaeology; Pottery--Analysis; pottery technology; technological knowledge; Archaeology